Border standoff 'direct result' of Chinese action: MEA

As the standoff between Indian and Chinese Armies in Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) continues, the Ministry of External Affairs said that India is committed to resolve all issues through dialogue, noting that the way ahead to address the issue is negotiations.

New Delhi:India on Thursday said that the situation witnessed in the border areas in eastern Ladakh over the past four months is a "direct result" of actions taken by China aimed at effecting unilateral change in the status quo of the region.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that India is committed to resolve all issues through dialogue, noting that the way ahead to address the issue is negotiations.

"It is clear that the situation we witnessed (in eastern Ladakh) over the past four months is a direct result of actions by the Chinese side aimed at effecting unilateral change in the status quo.

"We strongly urge China to sincerely engage with the Indian side with the objective of expeditiously restoring peace in border areas through complete disengagement," he said at an online media briefing.

On Monday, the Indian Army said that the Chinese military carried out "provocative military movements" to "unilaterally" change the status quo on the southern bank of Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh on the intervening night of August 29 and 30 but the attempt was thwarted by the Indian troops.

Srivastava on Tuesday said that the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) was engaged in "provocative action" again a day earlier when the ground commanders of the two sides were holding talks to ease the situation.

Following the Chinese attempts, the Indian Army has strengthened its presence in at least three strategic heights in the southern bank of Pangong lake.

The MEA also dismissed Chinese statements over Centre banning 118 more mobile apps saying that India has one of the most open regimes for FDI in the world.

"India has one of the most open regimes for FDI in the world, this includes internet companies and digital technology companies," MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said during the weekly virtual briefing.

"However, they have a responsibility to abide by rules and regulations issued by departments of the government of India...," he said.

His comments came in response to a question about the Chinese reaction on the recent app ban by India.

"...And particularly those rules and regulations, which pertain to data security and privacy of data. You would have seen the announcement by MeitY yesterday where they have said -- the activities that these apps have engaged in are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state and public order," MEA spokesperson said.

Replying to a question on whether External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to Moscow to attend a meeting of the SCO foreign ministers on September 10, Srivastava said "yes".

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an eight-nation regional grouping that includes China and India.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)