India - China Border Tensions

 


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India and China fought a brief border war in 1962 over the territory by the eastern end of the Himalayas. China signed a pact in October to ensure that differences on their shared border do not spark a dispute.

Modi Asks China to Shed Its "Expansionist Mindset"

Narendra Modi, at a rally in Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday, asked China to shed its "expansionist mindset" expressing his concern about foreign policy for the first time.

"China should shed its expansionist policy and forge bilateral ties with India for peace, progress and prosperity of both the nations," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said addressing a meeting in Pasighat in his current election campaign.

"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and will always remain so. No power can snatch it from us. People of Arunachal Pradesh didn't come under pressure or fear of China," he said.


China Denies Modi's Remarks

China stated that it had never waged a war to conquer "an inch of the land of other countries", two days after Modi slammed the country for its "expansionist mindset".

China's Foreign Ministry attempted to strike down comments by Narendra Modi after the Prime Minister asserted that Arunachal Pradesh was an integral part of India. "You mentioned expansionism by the Chinese side.

I believe all of you can see that China has never waged a war of aggression to occupy an inch of the land of other countries," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said while responding to Mr Modi's remarks. She said that China was committed to developing friendly relations with its neighbors and to settling conflicts through talks.

"There has never been any armed clashes in border areas over the years. So there is very strong evidence that we can maintain peace there. This is very good for the future development of the bilateral relations," she said, highlighting that there was no significant dispute at Sino-Indian borders after the 1962 war.

"China should shed its expansionist policy and forge bilateral ties with India for peace, progress and prosperity of both the nations," Mr Modi said. Responding to these remarks, Ms Hua said, "our position on the Eastern sector of the boundary is very consistent and clear cut.

We would like to develop good neighborliness and friendly relations with our neighbors and resolve relevant disputes and differences through dialogue and consultations."

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as Southern Tibet and it is part of the dispute over the 4000 km-long Line of Actual Control between the two countries.

Ms Hua said currently China and India are maintaining good momentum of bilateral relations. "The two leaders have a degree of agreement on the significance of growing bilateral relations. We hope to settle the boundary negotiations as soon as possible," she said.

Asserting that both India and China are committed to resolving the boundary dispute through peaceful negotiations, Ms Hua called attention to the Special Representatives mechanism, headed by National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi, which held 17th round of border talks in New Delhi.

"Positive progress has been made (at the talks) and both sides spoke very highly of the positive outcomes of the meeting," she said.

Both countries are working hard to resolve relevant differences through friendly discussions and consultations and "this point is beyond any doubt and any question.

China has proven this with its real action," Ms Hua said. The boundary issue is sensitive and complicated. It cannot be solved overnight with few meetings or consultations, she stressed.

"There is one point that is clear that both China and India have made clear their resolve that is to carry out relevant negotiations and dialogue to peacefully resolve disputes, so as to find a mutually acceptable framework. Pending that both countries will commit to peace and tranquility," Ms Hua said.

"What is important is that China and India have both expressed many times their determination and desire to peacefully resolve the dispute. We want to maintain peace and tranquility in border areas with relevant parties in India," she added.


Written by - Anusha Vajha

Edited by - Adrija Saha