China stands ready to work with India to enhance political mutual trust, properly manage differences, step up practical cooperation and “safeguard the long-term development” of bilateral ties, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday. The remark by spokesperson Zhao Lijian was in response to a query on PM Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech in which he had said the Indian Army had given a fitting reply to acts of aggression challenging India’s sovereignty, “from LoC to LAC”.
Responding to the question, Zhao said China had “noted” Modi’s speech. “We are close neighbours, we are emerging countries with over one billion people. So, the sound development of bilateral ties not only serves the interest of the two peoples but also stability, peace, prosperity of the region and the whole world,” he said.
“The right path for the two sides is to respect and support each other as this serves our long-term interests,” Zhao added. Modi’s comments came amid the border row with China along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh and increase in incidents of ceasefire violations along the Line of Control with Pakistan in the last few months.
Indian envoy meets PLA brass, seeks status quo
Earlier, as the India-China military stand-off in Ladakh entered its 100th day, and with the disengagement process having stalled, India’s envoy to China Vikram Misri met senior People’s Liberation Army officers in Beijing to explain India’s position on the border situation that has sought restoration of status quo as before the confrontation began in early May.
Misri’s meeting came even as an unsigned article in the Chinese embassy bulletin quoted Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi as blaming India for the Galwan Valley clash of June 15, asking New Delhi to conduct an investigation into the incident and “hold violators accountable, strictly discipline frontline troops and immediately stop provocative acts”. This, Indian officials said, was China’s usual tactic of blaming India for actions that PLA troops were responsible for. But while the Chinese foreign office spokesperson has said so often enough, it was more unusual for the hardline quotes to be attributed to Wang, who is also the state councillor.
Misri’s meeting with the Chinese military brass was also unusual. In Beijing, Misri has been meeting think tanks and foreign ministry officials to apprise them of India’s views. Earlier this week, Misri met Liu Jianchao, deputy director of the office of the CPC Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission, an influential official in the party.
