China lambastes India over 'provocative border attacks' amid talks

Indian troops crossed border for illegal activities and launched provocative attacks, says Chinese foreign ministry

China has slammed India for what it termed as "provocative border attacks" against Chinese troops amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between the two countries.

"A clash broke out on Monday between China and India’s border defense troops in the Galwan Valley after the Indian troops crossed the border for illegal activities and launched provocative attacks against Chinese personnel," Global Times quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Zhao Lijian as saying on Tuesday.

The statement comes after Indian army claimed on Tuesday one of its officers and around 20 soldiers were killed in a “violent faceoff” on the contested border with China, the first such incident in decades between the nuclear-armed neighbours.



FM spokesperson Zhao, in a press briefing, said that India severely violated the consensus reached between the two countries’ army commander-level talks on June 6.

Despite China and India’s close communication via diplomatic and military channels, the Indian troops on Monday crossed the border twice for illegal activities and launched provocative attacks against Chinese personnel, leading to serious physical conflicts between troops from both sides, he added.

The Chinese side has lodged a strong protest and solemn representation to the Indian side, urging it to strictly restrain its frontline troops according to the consensus, and not cross the borderline and make any unilateral movement that could complicate the border situation, Zhao said.

He added that China and India have agreed to resolve bilateral issues through talks and contribute to the easing of tensions and maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas.

Border skirmishes between the two sides started on May 5 at the Galwan valley in Ladakh, followed by Nakula pass in India’s northeastern Sikkim region three days later.

China claims territory in India’s northeast, while New Delhi accuses Beijing of occupying its territory in the Aksai Chin plateau in the Himalayas, including part of the Ladakh region.

The two countries even fought a war over the hilly state of Arunachal Pradesh in 1962, called the Sino-Indian War.