India-China border tensions reached a new high with the Indian army saying Chinese troops fired shots in the air for the first time in 45 years. Chinese army tried to close in around some of its positions along the un-demarcated border in Ladakh near the Rezang La Heights along the LAC according to reports.
“It is the PLA that has been blatantly violating agreements and carrying out aggressive manoeuvres, while engagement at military, diplomatic and political level is in progress. In the instant case on 7 September 2020, it was the PLA troops who were attempting to close-in with one of our forward positions along the LAC and when dissuaded by own troops, PLA troops fired a few rounds in the air in an attempt to intimidate own troops. However, despite the grave provocation, own troops exercised great restraint and behaved in a mature and responsible manner,” the Indian Army said in a statement after China accused Indian troops of firing warning shots after crossing the LAC along the south bank of Pangong Lake into Chinese held territory.
The Indian Army said that while it is trying to de-escalate the situation China continues to provoke and is attempting to mislead the international audience in response to China’s statement. It also added that it is determined to safeguard national integrity at all costs, in a warning to China.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is on his way to Moscow where he will hold a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Thursday to reach common ground. He said on Monday that this situation is very serious and would remind Yi that if peace is not an option then the relationship between the two countries may not sustain.
