Washington (TIP)- The US Pentagon has said that China continues to amass forces and build military infrastructure across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India. Addressing a briefing, Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Press Secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD), said the DoD continues to closely watch developments along the line of actual control at the India-China border. “We have seen the PRC continue to amass forces and build military infrastructure along the so-called LAC. But I would defer you to India in terms of their views.

“It does reflect though, and it’s important to point out, the growing trend by the PRC to assert itself and to be provocative in areas directed towards US allies and our partners in the Indo Pacific. “And we will continue to remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the security of our partners. And we fully support India’s ongoing efforts to de-escalate this situation,” he added.

Ryder’s remarks came as a response to a series of queries on the recent clashes between Indian and Chinese soldiers along the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh. The clashes were the first in nearly two years.

Face off at Arunachal LAC

Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9, the Indian Army said in a statement. Both Indian and Chinese soldiers suffered ‘minor injuries’ due to the face-off, the Army said. Over 200 Chinese soldiers carrying spiked clubs and sticks clashed with Indian soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector, a source told news agency PTI. The injuries on the Chinese side could be higher. However, no official confirmation on the same is awaited. The clash near Yangtse along the LAC took place last Friday amid the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh. -On December 9, Indian and Chinese soldiers were locked in a face-off in the tense Yangste area near Tawang, resulting in ‘minor injuries’ on both sides. Six Indian soldiers were injured in the face-off. They were airlifted to the 151 base hospital in Guwahati’s Basistha for treatment.

“PLA troops contacted the LAC in Tawang Sector, which was contested by own (Indian) troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to few personnel from both sides,” the Army said in a statement. “Both sides immediately disengaged from the area. As a follow up to the incident, own Commander in the area held a Flag Meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity,” the government said. “In certain areas along the LAC in the Tawang Sector, there are areas of differing perceptions, wherein both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines. This has been the trend since 2006,” it further said. It is the first major clash between the Indian and Chinese troops since August 2020 near Rinchen La in eastern Ladakh. In October last year, Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in a brief face-off near Yangtse. The issue was resolved after talks between local commanders of the two sides were held as per established protocols, PTI reported.

CONGRESS HITS OUT AT BJP

The Congress has targeted the BJP-led government over the clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers that broke along the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh. It has accused the Modi government of suppressing the border issue due to which China was acting with increasing audacity. AICC general secretary of communications Jairam Ramesh said the Congress has been trying to “wake up” the government on the Chinese actions on the border but it is silent in order to “protect its political image”.

“We are proud of the bravery of the armed forces. China’s actions on the border are completely unacceptable. For the last two years, we have been repeatedly trying to wake up the government, but the Modi government is trying to suppress the matter only to save its political image. The audacity of China is growing because of this,” the Congress leader said in a tweet.

                Source: Agencies