Sandeep Dikshit
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 16
India today said the clash in Galwan Valley occurred after the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Always honoured LAC
India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. We expect the same of the Chinese side.
Both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side, said the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava.
He pointed out that the clash happened as a result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo there.
Giving a rundown of the events that led to the violence, MEA said both sides had been discussing through military and diplomatic channels the de-escalation of the situation in the border area in eastern Ladakh.
Senior commanders had a productive meeting on June 6 and agreed on a process for such de-escalation. Subsequently, ground commanders had a series of meetings to implement the consensus reached at a higher level. “While it was our expectation that this would unfold smoothly, Chinese intransigence led to the events taking a different turn,” said Srivastava. “We remain firmly convinced of the need for maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas,” he added.