Ladakh: India's latest allegation of 'border violation' during peace talks with China

 On the India-China border, troops from both countries have once again clashed near Lake Pengong Soo in the Ladakh sector. The news of the new clash comes at a time when top officials of the two forces are negotiating to reduce border tensions. A statement issued by the Indian Ministry of Defense on Monday said that during the night between August 29 and 30, the Chinese military "violated" the agreement reached at the military and diplomatic levels. Provocative attempt to change position. The statement said the Indian military had "thwarted" the Chinese military's plan on the southern shore of Lake Pengongsu. "The military has taken the necessary steps to consolidate its position and thwart Chinese intentions to change the reality unilaterally on the ground." China has not yet issued a statement.

The Indian Defense Ministry statement further said that the Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace on the border through dialogue but at the same time it is committed to "defending its territorial integrity". The statement did not say what the nature of the latest clash was or whether there were any casualties in the clash. It is clear from the statement that the clash took place on the southern shore of Pangong Su Chihl, as the clash that took place in June this year took place at its northern tip. Defense experts believe the clash on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two countries was major.

Last June, 20 Indian soldiers were killed and about 75 wounded in a clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Gulwan Valley in the same region. Reports of the clash came slowly. This is the first time in the current tensions that a statement has been issued by the Ministry of Defense in Delhi regarding the harassment of Chinese troops. Although it is not yet clear if the clash took place on Saturday night, questions are being raised as to why a statement about it was issued two days later.

Defense experts say the area of ​​Lake Pengongsu where the Chinese troops clashed with them is important from a defense point of view, as the crucial Daulat Beg Oldi-Shyuk Road passes a short distance away. India's air base is located at Daulat Beg Oldi, near the Chinese border. The border dispute between India and China is very old and has become more complicated since the 1962 war. India and China share a common border of 3,488 km. It shares borders with India in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh and is divided into three parts (Western Sector ie Jammu and Kashmir, Middle Sector ie Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and Eastern Sector ie Sikkim). And Arunachal Pradesh.) The border between India and China is not fully demarcated and the territory occupied by the country is called LAC. However, the two countries have been claiming each other's territory as their own. It has also been a source of tension.

India lays claim to Aksai Chin in the western sector but the region is currently under Chinese control. During the 1962 war, China occupied the entire region. China, on the other hand, claims Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern sector. China says it is part of southern Tibet. China also does not accept the McMahon line between Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh. Overall, China does not accept the McMahon Line in Arunachal Pradesh and has rejected India's claim to Aksai Chin.