America said – China is getting stronger on India’s border, has given confidence
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Lloyd James Austin expressed concern over China’s aggressive stance and said to support India.
On Saturday, he said that China is strengthening its position on the border with India. America stands by its friends as they uphold their rights as they assert their territorial claims and take an aggressive approach to war.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Austin said that China is adopting aggressive and illegal methods of claiming territories in the South China Sea. Along with this, he is also taking forward his illegal maritime plans.
He said that China is continuously strengthening its border position with India.
The situation in Eastern Ladakh has been tense after the violent clash at Pangol Lake on 5 May 2020. China has also been building infrastructure such as bridges, roads and residential units in border areas with India.
China also has disputes over the maritime boundary with different countries of the Indo-Pacific region, which includes Vietnam and Japan. Earlier, the Commanding General of the United States Army Pacific, Charles A. Flynn, had also described the growing Chinese infrastructure across the LAC as shocking.
China said- America is adding fuel to the fire in the border dispute with India
An American general had described Chinese activities on the border with India in eastern Ladakh as an eye-opener and the infrastructure developed by China in the Western Theater Command was dangerous.
US Army Pacific Commanding General Charles A Flynn said this in New Delhi on Wednesday. Now the Chinese Foreign Ministry has responded to this and said that American officials are adding fuel to the fire.
The Ministry of External Affairs of India has not given any direct response on this. The Government of India says that whatever is happening on the border with China, it is keeping a close watch on it.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has said that both sides have agreed for Corps Commander level talks on the border dispute. India hopes that an agreement will be reached in this dialogue, which will be acceptable to both.
On Thursday, Prasar Bharati sought response from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Chao Lijian on the remarks of US General Charles A. Flynn.
General Charles A Flynn, Commanding General, United States Army Pacific called on Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari #CAS today in New Delhi.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 8, 2022
Issues of mutual interest and ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation were discussed.#DefenceCooperation@USARPAC pic.twitter.com/utcLZq7YgB
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said in response, “As a journalist from India, you will be well aware of the situation on the Sino-India border. At present, the situation along the India-China border is stable. The western side of the India-China border.” There is a dispute over most of the areas of the US. The border dispute between the two countries is bilateral. Both countries have the ability to resolve this issue through dialogue. Some American officials want to implicate both the countries by adding fuel to the fire. It is very sad. We hope that the United States will work for regional peace and stability.”
India is demanding that the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh should be restored to the status it had before April 2020. There has been talk of the 15th phase of senior commander level between the two countries. In February 2021, both countries had withdrawn troops from Pangong Tso and Gogra Hot Spring areas.
Flynn reached India on Tuesday. He has met Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pandey. The US general had said that China will not get any help from the unstable and destructive stance in the Indo-Pacific.
India-China tension
There is tension between India and China on the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh since May 5, 2020. There was a violent clash between the soldiers of both the countries in Pangong Lake area. It was revealed only last month that China is building a second bridge in eastern Ladakh.
This bridge will help the Chinese soldiers to reach Ladakh quickly. Apart from the China road on the border with India, houses are also being built to live. Last week, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said that India would not accept any change in eastern Ladakh. China has a border dispute with many countries of the Indo-Pacific. This also includes Vietnam and Japan.
When reporters asked General Charles Flynn about the ongoing standoff along the India-China border in Ladakh, he had said, “I believe the level of military activity is eye-opening. I think China has developed some such infrastructure in Western Theater Command, they are dangerous.
General Flynn said that when one sees China’s military arsenal, one should ask the question why it is needed. General Flynn said like-minded countries need to work together to respond to China.
Regarding military and diplomatic talks between India and China, the US general said, “I think talks will help but behavior also matters here. So I believe what China is saying is a different matter but the way It is worrying and everyone should be worried about it.”
Warm welcome to Commanding General of @USARPAC Charles A. Flynn! General Flynn will reaffirm 75 yrs of cooperation during courtesy calls with gov't officials, tour Birendra Peace Operations Training Center & view Mt. Everest w/ the ACOAS Lt Gen Rana of @thenepalesearmy!#USNepal75 pic.twitter.com/cTku3IMJEb
— U.S. Embassy Nepal (@USEmbassyNepal) June 9, 2022
India’s answer
Last week, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had said during an event that India would not accept any unilateral attempt to change the status quo on its border.
This statement of Jaishankar was considered an indirect target on China. Jaishankar was speaking during a program organized on the completion of eight years of the Modi government.
During this, he said, “It is important to protect our borders and we will never accept attempts to unilaterally change the status quo.
“As far as security is concerned, we will work keeping our national interests in mind. We recognize the role of our trusted allies who are helping us make India safer every day. We stand out from the hesitations of history. have arrived and will not let anyone veto our options.”
Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pandey said on May 9 that China wants to keep the border dispute alive. He also said that if China makes any attempt to change the status quo on the border, India will not only stop it but will also retaliate.
General Manoj Pandey had said, “The first and foremost challenge is to resolve the border conditions prevailing from April-May 2020. As far as Eastern Ladakh is concerned, our aim and intention is to be here before April 2020. The status quo is to be restored. Our intention is to re-establish trust and peace on both sides.”
