India-China standoff was due to attempt by Beijing to unilaterally change status quo, says MEA

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India on Tuesday said the “violent face-off” with Chinese troops in Eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley was due to Beijing’s attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the area. A commanding officer and two soldiers of the Indian Army lost their lives in the incident.

“On the late-evening and night of 15th June, 2020, a violent face-off happened as a result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo there,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. “Both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.”

He added that India and China have been discussing the de-escalation of the situation through military and diplomatic channels. “Given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC,” Srivastava said. “We expect the same of the Chinese side. We remain firmly convinced of the need for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue. At the same time, we are also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The foreign ministry spokesperson also…

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