NEW DELHI: Maintaining pressure on China to walk the talk on de-escalation from stand-off points in Eastern Ladakh and fulfil the commitments made during the June 6 Corps Commander-level meeting, India on Thursday urged it to expeditiously restore peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
“The two sides will continue their meetings both at the military and diplomatic level, including under the framework of WMCC, in the future to resolve the issues to mutual satisfaction. We expect the Chinese side to sincerely follow up and ensure the expeditious restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas as per bilateral agreements and protocols,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army chief General M M Naravane’s scheduled visit to Ladakh on Friday has been postponed.
This would have been the first high-level visit of a political leader, highlighting the sensitivity of the situation at the stand-off points.
“The Chinese have agreed to disengage troops in phases. The defence minister might have postponed his trip so as to wait and see if things change for good,” said a source.
Singh was to visit forwards areas of Eastern Ladakh and meet soldiers. However, Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat will visit Ladakh on Friday.
Trump believes China’s aggression against India reveals its ‘true nature’
US President Donald Trump believes that China’s “aggressive stance” against India and other countries in the region confirms the “true nature” of the ruling Communist Party of China, according to his spokesperson.
Amid the standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the US was “closely monitoring” the situation and supports a peaceful resolution to the border crisis.
“He (the president) is as well. And he said that China’s aggressive stance along the India China border fits with the larger pattern of Chinese aggression and other parts of the world and these actions only confirmed the true nature of the Chinese Communist Party,” she told reporters.
Earlier, during a Congressional hearing, US lawmakers expressed concern over the aggressive Chinese actions along the LAC.
Reacting to China’s statement that the ban imposed on the 59 apps by the government was against the WTO guidelines, Srivastava said everyone has to abide by our rules and regulations while operating in India.
“While operating in India one has to abide by our rules and regulations issued by relevant ministries and departments, including those pertaining to data security and privacy of individual data,” he said.
On Monday, the government banned 59 Chinese apps, saying they were engaged in activities prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.
The ban impacted popular apps like TikTok, Cam Scanner, WeChat and Weibo. Saying that India continues welcomes foreign investments while abiding to rules, Srivastava added India has one of the most open regimes in the world regarding FDI.