“India’s relations with China will always remain “somewhat tense” since Beijing considers India a challenger to its status, former Chief of the Army Staff General Shankar Roy Chowdhury has said while noting that incursions at the LAC could be a result of “conspiracy” between China and Pakistan.” -Kolkata (WB) on December 13, 2022.

On December 9, 2022; A face-off between Indian and Chinese troops occurred in the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh that had led to minor injuries to personnel from both sides. The Indian troops deployed in the area of face-off on December 9, 2022 in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector gave a befitting response to the Chinese troops and the number of Chinese soldiers injured in the clash is more than the Indian soldiers. The Chinese had come heavily prepared with around 300 soldiers but did not expect the Indian side also to be well prepared. Both sides immediately disengaged from the area.

“It is a very harsh area and Arunachal front has generally been quiet. We have got to deal with these incursions when they occur. We must be open for negotiations. The issue can only be resolved through talks and not militarily. Earlier, there used to ceasefire from the Pakistan front. The Chinese front, which used to generally remained quiet but now ignited. It might be a conspiracy between China and Pakistan to create pressure on India,” General Roy Chowdhury told ANI on December 13, 2022

“China does not refer to Arunachal as Arunachal. They call it Zangnan and consider Arunachal as southern Tibet. They have always laid a claim upon it, so we have to maintain extra alertness in Arunachal, ” he added.

The former Army Chief said India’s relations with China will always remain “somewhat tense”.

He said India must ensure the local population does not leave border areas and noted that the Chinese are “building towns and villages” close to the border.

“Chinese feel they are the most powerful country in the world. They look upon India as a challenger. So the border situation is going to be bad. At the same time, we should not forget China has far outstripped India in economic progress. We are not enough Atmanirbar. We have to be more atmanirbhar,” he added.

On December 13, 2022, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told the Parliament that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops tried to transgress the Line of Actual Control in Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo but they went back to their locations due to timely intervention of Indian military commanders.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh commends Indian army for bravely preventing Chinese from transgressing in Tawang.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed that no fatalities or serious casualties have occurred on Indian side during the face-off between the Indian and Chinese troops at Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh. O December 13, 2022, making a statement in the Lok Sabha on the incident, Mr. Singh said, Chinese troops tried to transgress the Line of Actual Control in Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo on 9th of this month.

He said, the Chinese attempt was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner. He said, face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the Chinese troops from transgressing into Indian territory and compelled them to return to their posts. He said, the scuffle led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides. The Defence Minister said, due to timely intervention of Indian military commanders, Chinese soldiers went back to their locations. He informed that a Flag Meeting was held on Sunday, 11th December, between the local commanders of both sides.

He said, the Chinese side was asked to refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquillity along the border. The Minister informed that the issue has also been taken up with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels. Mr. Singh assured the House that Indian Forces are committed to protecting country’s territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it. Later not satisfied with the Minister’s statement, Congress and some other opposition parties staged a walkout from the House.

The Defence Minister made a similar statement in the Rajya Sabha also. Opposition members tried to seek clarifications but Deputy Chairman Harivansh did not allow it saying it is a sensitive issue and there is no precedent of allowing clarifications on such issues in the House after Minister’s statement. Not satisfied with this, Opposition members continued with their demand for immediate discussion on the matter and raised slogans. Later, members from Congress, Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Samajvadi Party, Aam Admi Party, Left and others staged a walk out. 

“On December 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner. The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts,” Singh said.

“The scuffle led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides”, and added “there are no fatalities or serious casualties on our side”.

“Due to timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers went back to their locations,” Singh said.

The minister said that local commander in the area held a “flag meeting with his counterpart on December 11, 2022 to discuss the issue in accordance with established mechanisms”.

“The Chinese side was asked to refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquility along the border. The issue has also been taken up with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels,” Singh said.

Post Credit: ANI

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