‘India Did Its Best, China Has A Pattern Of Initiating Territorial Disputes,’ Says Pompeo On Ladakh Standoff

Pompeo asserted that Beijing has a pattern of "instigating" territorial disputes as seen in Ladakh, Bhutan and around Asia, and the world shouldn't allow this bullying to take place.

IMAGE: PTI

New Delhi: Commenting on India-China border tension, which is apparently easing as Chinese troops have retreated from flashpoint locations, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday , said that India has done its best to respond to China's “incredibly aggressive actions,”. At the same time, Pompeo asserted that Beijing has a pattern of "instigating" territorial disputes as seen in Ladakh, Bhutan and around Asia, and the world shouldn't allow this bullying to take place. "I've spoken with Foreign (External Affairs) Minister (S) Jaishankar a number of times about this (Chinese aggressive actions). The Chinese took incredibly aggressive actions. The Indians have done their best to respond to that,Pompeo told reporters at a news conference. Also Check: Are The Bubonic Plague Cases In China A Matter Of Panic? He said that Beijing's attack on India has to be put in the context of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) "General Secretary Xi Jinping and his behaviour throughout the region, and indeed, throughout the world. I don't think it's possible to look at that particular instance of Chinese Communist Party aggression in isolation. I think you need to put it in the larger context". Indian and Chinese forces have been in a standoff since last eight weeks in several areas in Eastern Ladakh, which aggravated after June 15 face-off between the two parties. As China unilaterally tried to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, a violent clash erupted between the two sides in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives. China has been covering up the number of its casualties, however, sources have said that over 40 troops were injured or killed in the scuffle. On June 30, the corps commander level talks between India and China continued for over ten hours to chalk out de-escalation ways. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a surprise visit to the forward area in Ladakh and interacted with the soldiers  of Indian Army, Air Force and ITBP. He also launched an indirect attack at China by saying that expansionist forces have always been diminished and history proves the same. Days after this, in what may be termed as the first sign de-escalation, Chinese Army pulled back its troops by 1.5 kiolmeters from the location of tension. The move came after India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval talked to Chinese foreign minister  Wang Yi. The step was taken under the disengagement agreement in June 30 talks. Also Watch:  Virus Similar To COVID-19 Was Found In China In 2012, Had Killed Many