New Delhi : The government informed both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, Dec 13, that Chinese soldiers had attempted to intrude into the Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh’s Yangtse last week “to unilaterally change the status quo”.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Indian Army successfully thwarted the Chinese attempts.
Three units of the Indian Army gave a ‘befitting reply’ to over 300 troops who came armed with clubs, sticks and other equipment to attack the Indian position, sources said.
Thwarted by the Indian forces, the Chinese had to retreat to their side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Indian troops were prepared for the clash, given the movement on the other side, and the crash occurred when one of the units was relieved by a new unit.
Meanwhile, the US reacted cautiously to the recent face-off between the Indian and the China troops at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the US closely monitors the situation and encourages India and China to utilise the existing channels to discuss the disputed boundaries.
“We are glad to hear that both sides appeared to have quickly disengaged from the clashes. We are closely monitoring the situation. We encourage India and China to utilise existing bilateral channels to discuss disputed boundaries,” the statement said.
“…. we are glad to see that there has been some disengagement in the clashes at this time,” Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Two days after the Dec 9 incident, the local Indian commanders held a flag meeting with their Chinese counterparts.
The latest clashes were discussed in line with existing protocols and mechanisms for peace and tranquillity along the LAC.
“We told the Chinese not to carry out such attacks in the region, while we reiterated that it is essential to maintain peace at the LAC,” Rajnath Singh said in Lok Sabha.
He said India has also raised the issue diplomatically.
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