Indo-Chinese border tension could have been avoided, claims Indian foreign ministry

New Delhi: A major fight ensued after the Indian soldiers intercepted intrusion of the Chinese soldiers, on the Sikkim border. At that time, an Indian Lieutenant knocked a Chinese Major down with a blow. After receiving reports regarding this incident, China had given a very measured reaction, taking care that the issue does not fester. The Chinese foreign ministry had said that their stress is on maintaining comradery and friendship on the border. Whereas, the Indian foreign ministry has given a very suggestive statement, after the Thursday incident, that the tension on the border could have been avoided.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, during the former’s visit to Beijing in 2018 and 2019, had concurred on reducing the tension on the Indo-Chinese border. Both the leaders had agreed to maintain comradery and friendship on the border. The statement issued by the Indian foreign ministry reminds of this agreement. The foreign ministry also claimed that the Indo-Chinese border is peaceful and there is no tension on the border. While giving this reaction, the foreign ministry also made a statement that the border tension could have been avoided.

The Indian foreign ministry is stating in a diplomatic language that if the Chinese soldiers would not have made the intrusion attempt, there was no reason for tension. In the meantime, Indian Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Mukund Naravane said that tension on the Indo-Chinese border is not a new thing. Both countries have different views regarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Therefore, the soldiers of both countries keep coming face to face on some occasions. The Chief of Staff also said that the inspection of the Chinese border is complete and the security assessment also has been done. The moral of the soldiers deployed on this border is at the highest level; General Naravane affirmed that the border is perfectly secured.

Meanwhile, General Naravane had announced that the Indian military would be deploying Integrated Battle Groups (IBG), on Pakistan, as well as, the Chinese borders. The Chief of Staff informed media that the preparations in this respect are complete, but this deployment has been delayed because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Talks had started that this announcement following the Chinese intrusion attempt, on the Sikkim border, was the right message delivered by the Chief of Staff, to China.