No intrusion into J&K by our troops, says China on border row

Beijing: China today rejected reports of intrusion by its troops in Ladakh, saying the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers patrolled the Chinese side of Line of Actual Control (LAC) without “trespassing” into it. Presenting China’s stand, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying also called for resolution of the issue through talks. “China’s frontier troops have been abiding by the agreement between the two countries and abiding by the LAC agreed by the two countries.” “Our frontier troops have been patrolling on the China’s side of LAC”, Hua said at a media briefing here, responding to a spate of questions. Our troops are patrolling on the Chinese side of the LAC and have never trespassed the line", she said. A platoon-strength contingent of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) came 10 km inside the Indian territory in Burthe in DBO sector in Ladakh, which is at an altitude of about 17,000 feet, on the night of 15 April and established a tented post there. External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said today in New Delhi that India and China are holding flag meetings to address the issue of incursion. [caption id=“attachment_719286” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Indian army vehicles move between walls of snow in the Srinagar-Leh highway. Image used for representational purpose. Reuters[/caption] However, China claims it has not done anything wrong. “China’s position is firm and clear. We have been abiding by the agreement of the two countries having normal patrol on Chinese side and never trespassed the LAC”, the Chinese spokesperson said during the course of her replies. “China believes that the current India-China relations have been in a fine shape. We have maintained good communication and coordination on the boundary issue,” she said. “The boundary areas are in a peaceful condition. China is willing to properly solve the boundary question based on peaceful negotiations. We would like to solve the boundary issue through proper mechanisms in order to create conditions for the development of China-India relations”, she said. Observers say China’s stand defending its “incursion” is puzzling as it may result in raising of a new dispute on the much agreed LAC by the two countries which brought about sense calm while they negotiated the boundary dispute. To pointed questions on why Chinese troops chose to move forward especially when the relations between the two countries improved a great deal and ahead of reported plans by China’s new Premier Li Keqiang to visit New Delhi, Hua said there is a great deal of speculation on the border incursion issue in Indian media. “I noticed that some Indian officials made relevant remarks. Please refer to them”, she said apparently pointing to the comments that different perceptions of the LAC existed and both sides made efforts to resolve it through established mechanism. “China values its relations with India and would like to develop sound steady and long term relationship with India. We believe relevant problem should be properly solved through negations in a peaceful manner. Relevant issue is left over from history. The current conditions at the border are peaceful and stable. What the two countries should do now is to pool consensus and sit down together for solution. There is no need for groundless speculation and suspicion”, she added. “We believe the current India-China relations have been in a advanced shape. We have maintained good communication and coordination on the boundary issue”, she said referring to the periodic talks headed by Special Representatives of the two countries to resolve the boundary dispute. The two sides held 15 rounds of talks so far. “The boundary areas are in a peaceful condition. China is willing to properly solve the boundary question based on peaceful negotiations. We would like to solve the boundary issue through proper mechanisms in order to create conditions for the development of China-India relations”. Asked whether the problem in the Ladakh sector which sparked off concerns in India is being discussed through a new boundary mechanism inked by two countries, she however referred to last year’s talks between Special Representatives Shivshankar Menon and Dai Bingguo who recently retired. The special representatives carried in-depth discussions on this issue. “They have agreed that the two countries should uphold the political parameters and guidelines agreed by the two countries and carry out peaceful friendly negotiations based on mutual respect and equality and search for sound mechanism.” “The two sides also agreed that the pending the final solution, the two sides agreed to continue to ensure the safety and tranquility of the border areas”, she said. At the same time they also agreed that the boundary issue should not affect the larger interests of bilateral relations, she added. Asked when China would name its Special Representative as Dai retired early this year, Hua said “As per who is going to resume the position I have no information but I can tell you China is committed to solving the problem through peaceful negotiations through the existing mechanism and this position is clear and consistent. " According to speculation, former Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi who is now appointed as State Councillor, a position held by Dai earlier, would be nominated as Special Representative for India-China boundary talks. PTI