JAKARTA - On Saturday, June 20, India and China launched accusations of breaching their de facto borders. The border is an area that some time ago saw the deadliest clashes in half a century.
Whereas, earlier, Friday, June 19, Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi said that no outsiders in Indian territory, namely Ladakh and no Indian Army border posts had been arrested by Chinese troops. He also added that the 20 Indian soldiers who died in the violence "taught a lesson to those who had guarded the Motherland before giving up their lives."
However, the statement invites the view that PM Modi "does not have the heart enough" to face the problems of his country. Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh warned PM Modi to "be careful" when making statements on national security. Singh also advised PM Modi not to justify China's actions.
"Disinformation is not a substitute for diplomacy or firm leadership. And the truth cannot be suppressed by asking strong allies to make a statement that is comforting but false, "said Singh, quoted by The Hindu.
Launching Reuters on Monday, June 22, contrary to PM Modi's statement, a day later the Indian government again blamed China. The Indian side said that China was trying to build a facility just across the Line of Actual Control. The Chinese side is also known to have rejected India's request to stop carrying out the construction.
China's accusations against IndiaMeanwhile, the Chinese side has its own opinion. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian accused Indian troops of "deliberate provocation" in the Himalayas.
Through his Twitter account, Zhao Lijian said that the Galwan Valley was on the Chinese side. Since April, India has been unilaterally building roads, bridges and other facilities in the region.
It was the Indian troops that crossed the Line of Control and attacked the Chinese officers and soldiers who were there. In fact, according to Zhao, the Chinese army troops wanted to negotiate. It was the Indian army that instigated what Zhao called "intense physical conflict."
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava denied India's violation of the Actual Line of Control, as China has accused. He said the claims by the Chinese side were unacceptable.
"We do not accept the assumption that India is unilaterally changing the status quo. On the contrary, we continue to defend it, "said Srivastava.
The debate between China-India invited comments from other countries, namely the United States (US). US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized China for increasing border tensions with India.
"The PLA (People's Liberation Army) has raised border tensions, we saw it today in India and we are witnessing the militarization of the South China Sea and illegally claiming more territory there," Pompeo said at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit which took place via an online conference.
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