India gives a stern warning to China over its support for Pakistan -

New Delhi: A strife reportedly broke out when the Chinese soldiers, which tried to stop the Indian soldiers from patrolling in the eastern Ladakh border. Although the top officials from both the countries said that tensions had eased after talks, the scuffle was a reflection of the friction between India and China over the past few days. China has not openly taken a stand against India on its decision regarding the state of Jammu and Kashmir, but they have declared support for Pakistan. At the same time, China has provoked India by renewing efforts to set up the CPEC project through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Subsequently, India took steps to give a stern warning to China.

A few days ago, China and Pakistan had carried out joint military drills near India’s border, of which India took severe note. A combined military exercise of the Indian Army and Air Force was carried out in Arunachal Pradesh, and the Chinook heavy-lift choppers as also the M-777 ultra-light howitzers have been deployed in the region for the purpose. The exercises were codenamed ‘HimVijay’, and the newly-raised 17 Mountain Strike Corps participated in it. The drills aim to test their war-fighting abilities in the region.

Before the exercises, the Indian and Chinese armies had a face-off in the ‘Pangong Tso’ region in eastern Ladakh. The Chinese soldiers objected to the Indian soldiers patrolling in the area. However, the Indian soldiers gave a fitting reply to the Chinese counterparts and refused to back off. After that, Army officers of both nations held talks, and the dispute was resolved although it appears to have increased tensions in India-China relations. Also, China had expressed displeasure over India’s decision to make Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh centrally administered Union Territories. China, which is currently occupied with many issues has decided against challenging India on the decision. However, their External Affairs Ministry did claim that it posed a threat to its sovereignty.

After India’s decision, China’s External Affairs Minister and other high ranking military officers had visited Pakistan wherein China reportedly offered support to Pakistan. It gave a boost to Pakistan’s confidence and adopted an aggressive stance against India after that. Furthermore, China had taken Pakistan’s side by raising the Kashmir issue in a closed-door meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Although no other nation at the UNSC supported China, the act invited sharp reactions from India. Also, there have been several instances in the past when China has indirectly supported anti-India terrorist activities of Pakistan.

Given the background, India has adopted a stiff stance in its dealing with China. Only a few days ago, India’s External Affairs Ministry had reprimanded China along with Pakistan on the CPEC. Raveesh Kumar, the EAM Spokesperson, had reminded that the PoK, through which the CPEC corridor passes, is an integral part of India and therefore China should scrap the part of the project that passes through the region. Even though China chose to ignore the warnings, India has made it clear that they are not going to drop the issue.

An 11-member Indian delegation, including 5 Members of Parliament, has been sent to China. The delegation conveyed to China that its support for Pakistan, which is the epicentre of terrorism, sends an extremely incorrect message. Moreover, the delegation reportedly warned China that it might affect the Indian consumers buying Chinese goods, the Indian news channels informed.