Indian Army releases statement on Sikkim clash with Chinese troops: 'minor, now resolved'

The Indian Army has issued an official statement on the face-off reported between Indian and Chinese soldiers at the Sikkim border three days ago and said that it was a minor clash between the Indian Army and the PLA troops. As per sources, Indian and Chinese soldiers were involved in a physical clash at Naku La near the Sikkim border three days ago after a Chinese troop patrol attempted to intrude into Indian territory. Following the report of clashes, the Indian Army categorically stated that the issue was resolved by the local commanders on the same day as per the established protocols. Further, it also asked the media to refrain from exaggerating 'factually incorrect' reports.  

"We have received several queries regarding a face-off between Indian Army and PLA troops in Sikkim sector. It is clarified that there was a minor face-off at Nakula area of North Sikkim on 20 January 2021 and the same was resolved by local commanders as per established protocols. Media is requested to refrain from overplaying or exaggerating reports which are factually incorrect", the Indian Army's statement reads.

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Sources had said that a brawl ensued at the Indo-China border in Sikkim and that the Chinese PLA incursion was thwarted. Several Chinese PLA soldiers were injured while some Indian soldiers were also injured. The attempt of the Chinese PLA's intrusion comes even as the ninth round of Corps Commander-level talks lasting for over 16 hours were held at distant Moldo between representatives of India and China on Sunday. This is the first account of a physical escalation between personnel of the two powerful armies since the Galwan valley clash on June 15/16 when there were casualties on both sides, with 20 Indian Jawans being martyred. The situation at Sikkim was said to be tense but calm now, before the Army's statement came out. 

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9th round of India-China talks

After a gap of over two-and-half months, India and China on Sunday held the ninth round of military talks specifically focusing on ways to move forward on the long-negotiated disengagement process in eastern Ladakh as thousands of their troops remained deployed at friction points under freezing conditions. The Corps Commander-level meeting began at around 11 AM at the Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and was continuing till after 9 PM, sources said. People familiar with the negotiations said India insisted that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points in the region.

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India has been maintaining that the disengagement process has to start simultaneously at all the friction points and no selective approach was acceptable to it. Close to 100,000 Indian and Chinese troops are deployed in eastern Ladakh as both sides have been holding on to their ground and showing readiness for a long-haul, amid continuing diplomatic and military talks to find an amicable solution. The Indian delegation at the talks was led by Lt Gen PGK Menon, the Commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps. In the military talks, India has all along been demanding restoration of status quo ante in all areas of eastern Ladakh prior to April. The face-off had begun on May 5.

The eighth and last round of the talks had taken place on November 6 during which both sides broadly discussed disengagement of troops from specific friction points. The seventh round of Corps Commander-level talks had taken place on October 12 where China had pressed for the withdrawal of Indian troops from a number of strategic heights around the southern bank of Pangong lake. The location of the latest flashpoint, however, is far away from Ladakh, all the way across the length of Nepal in Sikkim.

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