'Committed To Peace Since 1993': India Reminds China Of Past Agreements Amid Ladakh Standoff

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, in an online media briefing on Thursday, reminded China of the several bilateral agreements inked by the two in past to resolve border related issues.

As of now, situation at the India-China border in Ladakh remains stiff. (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: Over the past two weeks, Indian Army and Chinese troops are engaged in a standoff in the highly sensitive western sector of Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), where China's People's Liberation Army has beefed up its military assets by reportedly moving two brigades along the Galwin Valley and Pangong Tso Lake region. Since then, both the Asian neighbours are constantly involved in several rounds of talks to resolve the standoff in Ladakh, but no breakthrough has been found so far. In the latest conversation held on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, in an online media briefing, reminded China of the several bilateral agreements inked by the two in past to resolve border related issues. According to an IANS report, Srivastava said that India has always tried to establish a peaceful platform for the nations to wisely resolve the situation through dialogues. “Indian troops take a very responsible approach towards border management and strictly follow the procedures laid out in various bilateral agreements and protocols with China to resolve any issue that may arise in the border areas,” the official said, as quoted by the news agency. "India is committed to the objective of maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas with China and our armed forces scrupulously follow the consensus reached by our leaders and the guidance provided. At the same time, we remain firm in our resolve to ensuring India's sovereignty and national security," he added. Reminding China of India's firm stand over country's sovereignty and national security, Srivastava recalled the five major bilateral agreements and protocols signed between the two neighbours to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas. Srivastava mentioned  the following pacts:

• Peace and Tranquility Agreement (1993)
•  Agreement of Confidence Building Measures in the Military Field along the LAC (1996)
•  Protocol on Modalities for the implementation of the Confidence Building Measures in the Military Field along the LAC (2005)
• Agreement on the establishment of a working mechanism for consultation and coordination on India-China Border Affairs (2012)
• Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (2013)

As of now, situation at the India-China border in Ladakh remains stiff as troops are in place from both the sides and there are at least three locations where there has been an eyeball-to-eyeball situation till May 5. Reportedly, both India and China have deployed over 1,000 troops at four locations along the LAC.