India on recent face-off: Attempt by Chinese side to unilaterally change status quo

NEW DELHI — The violent face-off happened last night with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley in Ladakh was a result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo, according to India.

“On late-evening and night of June 15, a violent face-off happened as a result of an attempt by Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo there,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.

“Both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had an agreement at higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side,” it added.

“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 ministry added.

“Given its responsible approach to border management, 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,” it said.

Colonel B Santosh Babu, Havildar Palani and Sepoy Ojha were killed in the clashes that took place last night. It happened just after both the countries came to an agreement to move away from the location.

The foreign ministry further said that while it was our expectation that this would unfold smoothly, the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley.

“Given its responsible approach to border management, 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. We remain firmly convinced of the need for the maintenance of peace and tranquility 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 statement said.