The Foreign Ministry called China’s territorial claims to Galvan Valley in eastern Ladakhakh “exaggerated and untenable”.
India will continue its efforts to secure peace on the border with China, but will not stop defending its sovereignty. This was stated in a statement by Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Anurag Shrivastawa.
“We remain convinced of the need to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas and to resolve differences through dialogue, but at the same time India is committed to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity”, – the Times of India said in a statement issued on Friday.
The diplomat called China’s territorial claims to Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakhakh “exaggerated and untenable”.
“The line of effective control in Ladakh must be strictly observed, as it is the basis for peace and tranquillity on the border with China”, – Shrivastava stressed.
On Friday, diplomats from India and China will continue to discuss online the de-escalation of military tensions at the two countries’ border in Ladakh. Earlier next week, the Indian and Chinese military will hold new consultations to continue the initial withdrawal in Ladakh and to create a buffer zone in the disputed portion of the bilateral border, The Times of India reports.
The situation in Ladakh deteriorated after clashes involving some 250 Chinese and Indian troops occurred there in early May. More than 100 people were injured on both sides. On the night of June 15-16, clashes erupted again in Ladakh near the Galwan River. They resulted in 20 Indian soldiers being killed and 76 others injured. According to the Indian side, about 45 Chinese soldiers were killed and injured in the clashes.