New Delhi: China had asked India for a “thorough investigation” into the Galwan clash that left 20 Indian soldiers dead on 15 June, according to the July issue of the China-India Review, a monthly journal published by the Chinese Embassy in India.
The journal said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had also urged his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, when the two spoke over the phone on 17 June, to “hold the violators accountable” and to “strictly discipline frontline (Indian) troops” holding them responsible for the skirmish.
“We urge the Indian side to conduct a thorough investigation, hold the violators accountable, strictly discipline the frontline troops and immediately stop all provocative acts to ensure such incidents will not occur again,” the journal said.
“The adventurism of the Indian Army seriously violated agreements on border issues between the two countries and severely violated basic norms governing international relations,” it added.
The journal reiterated the Chinese stance that it was Indian troops that “openly broke” the consensus, which was reached during the commander-level meeting on 6 June. It added that the “Indian side must not misjudge the current situation and must not underestimate China’s firm determination to safeguard our territorial sovereignty”.
China has officially not disclosed the number of casualties it suffered during the violent face-off at the Galwan river valley in Eastern Ladakh on 15 June.
‘India expressed readiness to act in interests of bilateral ties’
The journal, undersigned by Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong, also stated that during the phone call with Wang, Jaishankar “shared India’s position and expressed India’s readiness to act in the interest of bilateral relations, implement the consensus reached by the two leaders together with China, peacefully resolve disputes in the border area through dialogue, and reduce tensions in the border area”.
The phone call, it added, was followed by a discussion between Wang and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on 5 July. Both Wang and Doval are their respective countries’ ‘Special Representatives on the Boundary Question’.
“Both sides welcomed the progress achieved in the recent military and diplomatic meetings, agreed to stay in dialogue and consultation, and stressed the importance of promptly acting on the consensus reached in the commander-level talks between Chinese and Indian border troops, and complete disengagement of the front-line troops as soon as possible,” it said.
Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri met Liu Jianchao, Deputy Director of the Office of the CPC Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission, Wednesday and “briefed him on India’s stance vis-à-vis the situation on the borders in eastern Ladakh UT and overall bilateral relations”.
Ambassador @VikramMisri today met H.E. Liu Jianchao, Deputy Director of the Office of the CPC Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission and briefed him on India’s stance vis-à-vis the situation on the borders in eastern Ladakh UT and overall bilateral relations. pic.twitter.com/191WpOC951
— India in China (@EOIBeijing) August 12, 2020
‘China, India & Russia should maintain momentum as partners’
The journal has also talked about the Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting that was held virtually on 23 June between Wang, Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
“Mr Wang stressed that as major countries adhering to strategic independence, China, Russia, and India should maintain the overall momentum of cooperation as partners and seize opportunities they can offer to each other,” it said.
China also said it supports Russia’s proposal to host the first RIC defence ministers’ meeting with a view to “enhancing defence and security cooperation”.
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This is classic The Print speaking in China’s voice; making it appear to the reader that India was responsible for what happened.
Why don’t you write about what New Delhi told Beijing?
The chowkidar said nothing happened, so how can the Print contradict that ? They can only report what China said. Modi, Shah and Bhagwat are quiet as mice.