China's aggression towards altering status quo violates bilateral agreement: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that China's aggressive behaviour and its attempts to unilaterally alter status quo was in violation of bilateral agreement between India and China. Singh categorically conveyed India’s position on developments along Line of Actual Control (LAC) including in Galwan valley in Western Sector of India-China Border Areas in last few months to his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe in Moscow, according to a statement from Defence Minister's office.

two met for 2 hours and 20 minutes on sidelines of a garing of Defence Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This was  first highest-level face-to-face meeting between two sides since violent face-off erupted at LAC in June.

"RM emphasised that actions of Chinese troops, including amassing of large number of troops, ir aggressive behaviour and attempts to unilaterally alter status quo were in violation of bilateral agreements", Defence Minister's office said.

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Furrmore, Defence Minister clearly stated that while Indian troops had always taken a very responsible approach towards border manment, but at same time re should also be doubt about India's determination to protect country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, a statement by Defence Minister's Office said.

"Both sides should take guidance from consensus of leaders that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in India-China border areas was essential for furr development of bilateral relations and that two sides should t allow differences to become disputes," Defence Minister's office said.

'Chinese side should work with Indian side for complete disengment'

Singh also advised that it was important that Chinese side should work with Indian side for complete disengment at earliest from all friction areas including Pangong Lake as well as de-escalation in border areas in accordance with bilateral agreements and protocols. Raksha Mantri furr said that current situation should be handled responsibly and that neir side should take any furr action that could eir complicate situation or escalate matters in border areas, statement by defence ministry said.

Raksha Mantri also emphasized that two sides should continue ir discussions through diplomatic and military channels, to ensure complete disengment and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquillity along LAC at earliest.

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Indian Army pre-empts Chinese attack

On August 31, Indian Army said that Chinese side carried out provocative military movements to change status quo on Aug 29-30. "Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on Sourn Bank of Pangong Tso Lake, undertook measures to strengn our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground," official statement by Defence Ministry said. Furrmore, Army has confirmed that re has been physical clash between Indian and Chinese troops near sourn bank of Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh, after which a Brigade Commander level Flag Meeting was held at Chushul.

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