New Delhi, 16 June
EVEN as the Modi government talks of a process of "de-escalation" between China and India in the wake of reports of Chinese incursions along the LAC in the Ladakh region, into the Galwan valley area that has traditionally been under Indian control, three Indian soldiers lost their lives in the first reported incident of Indian combat casualty in the Sino-Indian border dispute since 1975. There are also reports of Indian soldiers being held captive, and of casualties on the Chinese side.
The Modi government is clearly losing ground in its China policy and it seeks to make up for it by endorsing strong anti-China rhetoric for domestic political consumption. At the same time, the Modi government, in yet another glaring instance of lack of transparency and accountability, is keeping the Indian people in the dark about the facts of the situation on the LAC.
At a time when both China and India are having to deal with the massive public health and economic implications of the Covid19 global pandemic, it will be highly irresponsible and condemnable on the part of the two countries to let the border dispute escalate into skirmishes costing lives. We strongly urge upon the two governments to work out an early diplomatic solution, scale back military deployment along the border and work for a negotiated bilateral settlement of all disputes without any third party intervention.
