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INDIA-CHINA-CLASH-JAISHANKAR
“Chinese side took pre-meditated and planned action,” Jayshankar tells China
By Aminul Islam Mirja
NEW DELHI, June 17, 2020 (BSS) – Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar today said that the Chinese side took “pre-meditated and planned action” that was directly responsible for Monday’s clash at Galwan Valley in Ladakh, in which 20 Indian soldiers laid their lives.
“This unprecedented development will have a serious impact on the bilateral relationship and China has to reassess its actions and take corrective steps,” he said during a telephonic conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi this afternoon on recent developments in Ladakh.
Jaishankar conveyed India’s protest “in the strongest terms” on the violent face-off in Galwan Valley on June 15 when he recalled that an agreement was reached on de-escalation and disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), an External Affairs Ministry statement said here.
According to the statement, he said the two sides should scrupulously and sincerely implement the understanding that was reached by the Senior Commanders on June 6 while troops of both sides should also abide by the bilateral agreements and protocols.
The State Councillor and Foreign Minister of China, on his part, conveyed the Chinese position on recent developments.
At the conclusion of the discussion, the two ministers agreed that the overall situation would be handled in a responsible manner, and both sides would implement the disengagement understanding of June 6 sincerely.
“Neither side would take any action to escalate matters and instead, ensure peace and tranquility as per bilateral agreements and protocols,” the statements read.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said New Delhi wants peace with China but the country is capable of giving a “befitting reply”.
“India wants peace but capable of giving befitting reply in any kind of situation if provoked,” he told a virtual meeting with chief ministers of different Indian states he called originally to review the COVID-19 situation in the country.
The clash between India’s and Chinese Border troops erupted on Monday evening as an Indian patrol party tried to remove a Chinese tent at Galwan Valley in Ladakh.
Private Indian TV channel NDTV reported quoting army sources that 45 Chinese soldiers have been killed or injured in the massive escalation at border — a first in nearly five decades.
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