China claims India's move to drop Mandarin from NEP will hamper bilateral relationship

Following drop of 'Mandarin' or 'Chinese' langu from foreign langu list included in newly anunced National Education police (NEP) by Indian Government, China has claimed that this move will affect bilateral relationship between two countries. Terming move as 'dangerous' Chinese side said cultural exchanges form cornerstone of bilateral relationship between Beijing and New Delhi, and if base is sabotd, relations are likely to deteriorate seriously.

"As border conflict is yet to subdue, Indian government w wants to extend lingering skirmish between two countries to education and cultural level, which is very dangerous... Cultural exchanges form cornerstone of bilateral relationship between Beijing and New Delhi, and if base is sabotd, relations are likely to deteriorate seriously",  Zhao Gancheng, director of Center for Asia-Pacific Studies at Shanghai Institute for International Studies said castigating Indian government's move. He was quoted as saying by Chinese mouthpiece Global Times.

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Mandarin Dropped from NEP

Although Mandarin was included in draft version of policy released in May 2019, recently approved NEP has dropped Mandarin or 'Chinese' from its list of examples of foreign langus that can be taught in schools.

"In dition to high-quality offerings in Indian langus and English, foreign langus, such as Korean, Japanese, Thai, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian, will also be offered at secondary level...," policy rey.

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India's move came amid tensions between two neighbouring countries along Line of Actual Control that escalated following a face-off on June 15 in Galwan valley leing to casualties on both sides.

LAC Talks: India - China 5th Meet

In latest development to LAC talks, India has me it clear to China side that it will t accept anything less than status quo ante on Line of Actual Control, that existed prior to first week of April this year, as per sources.

On Sunday, as Corps Commander of Indian Army and China's Peoples' Liberation Army held fifth round of meeting, Indian side is said to have me it clear to Chinese side that to pave way for any furr dialogue Chinese side must first move back.

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(With inputs from ANI)