Indian and Chinese troops clashed in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh last week, the first such encounter between neighbors since the deadly Galwan Valley incident in June 2020. At least six Indian soldiers are believed to have sustained injuries and are being treated at the Army Guwahati hospital.
The incident occurred on December 9 after 300-400 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers crossed the Line of Effective Control (LAC), which was “contested” by Indian soldiers deployed there “firmly and resolute”.
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Days before the Yangtse clash in Arunachal Pradesh, Chinese drones had moved very aggressively towards Indian positions on the Line of Effective Control (LAC) forcing the Indian Air Force (IAF) to scramble Su-30MKI fighters, it said reported ANI citing defense sources. After the 9 December incident, the IAF increased the frequency of its fighter aircraft sorties in the region.
During a press conference Tuesday (local time), White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the United States is closely monitoring the situation and encourages both sides to use existing bilateral channels to discuss the disputed borders. “We are pleased that both sides quickly withdrew from the clashes. We are monitoring the situation closely and encourage India and China to use existing bilateral channels to discuss the disputed borders,” said Karine Jean-Pierre on the clashes between India and China.
The Indian Army bravely thwarted an attempt by the Chinese PLA to “unilaterally” change the status quo in the Yangtse area in the Tawang sector on December 9, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said in parliament on Tuesday. There were no casualties or serious injuries among Indian troops in the scuffle, he said. “The ensuing confrontation led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from trespassing into our territory and forced them back to their posts,” he said, adding that the matter was also addressed with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels.
The head of the United Nations calls for an easing of tensions
When Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, was asked to comment on the matter, he said: “Yes, we have seen these reports. We are calling for a de-escalation and to ensure that tensions in that area do not escalate.”
China accuses Indian army of ‘illegally crossing the LAC’
Chinese troops have been hampered by the Indian army crossing the LAC illegally, the PLA said on Tuesday in its first reaction to the reported military confrontation from Arunachal Pradesh. “Our response measures have been professional, standard and forceful and have stabilized the situation on the ground. At present, China and India have disengaged,” a spokesman for the PLA’s Western theater command said. “We are calling on the Indian side to strictly control and curb the frontline troops and cooperate with China to maintain peace and quiet on the border,” the official added.
The opposition aims its weapons at the government
The opposition Congress on Tuesday said the defense minister’s statement in Parliament on the Sino-Indian border clash was “incomplete” and accused the government of hiding the truth from the nation. The party staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha after it was denied permission to seek clarification on the defense minister’s statement. Members of CPI, CPM, Shiv Sena, RJD, JMM and SP joined the members of Congress.
