Times of India
TNN
Saibal Dasgupta,
September 25, 2015
BEIJING: In a rare statement, the Chinese military on Thursday directly blamed India for its actions during the recent border standoff between the two countries. It was referring to India’s move of removing a hut, along with surveillance cameras, that had been erected by Chinese troops at Burtse in Ladakh on the Indian side of the border about two weeks ago.
“The recent actions by the Indian Army in the relevant area were not consistent with the relevant agreement and spirit of the consensus of the two sides,” People’s Liberation Army spokesman Wu Qian said at a news briefing. “Jointly maintaining peace and tranquillity of India-China border is an important consensus reached between the leaderships of the two countries, and also a solemn commitment and promise made by the two government and militaries.”
The Chinese government usually refrains from public criticism of India on the border issue, leaving it to government-controlled media to do so. During past altercations, Chinese officials at the foreign ministry and the military have expressed hope that the two sides will be able to resolve their differences through mutual dialogue. This may be the first time in recent years that the PLA has publicly challenged the Indian action on the border.
“We ask the Indian Army to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two governments and refrain from taking any unilateral actions which will affect the situation in the border areas and work together with the Chinese military to jointly maintain peace and stability in China-India border areas,” Wu said.
India’s view is that Chinese soldiers were the one to cause provocation by erecting a hut with equipment for generating solar power and watching the movement of troops inside its border.
