India-China standoff: Japan supports India, opposes ?any unilateral attempt to change status quo? on LAC

Japan opposes any “unilateral attempt to change the status quo” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Japanese ambassador Satoshi Suzuki said on Friday. Japan has extended its support to India amidst the on-going stand off between India and China in Ladakh.

Satoshi Suzuki issued the statement after he spoke with India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla. Reports suggest that Suzuki and Shringla also discussed cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

In a tweet, Satoshi Suzuki said, “Had a good talk with FS Shringla. Appreciated his briefing on the situation along LAC, including GOI’s policy to pursue peaceful resolution.”

“Japan also hopes for a peaceful resolution through dialogues. Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo,” Satoshi Suzuki said.

On June 19, Satoshi Suzuki had, in a tweet, conveyed condolences to the people of India and to the families of the Indian soldiers who “lost their lives in the line of duty at Galwan Valley”.

The Japanese ambassador’s statement in support of India assumed significance as it coincided with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ladakh, days after the Indian troops clash with the Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley.