The ongoing standoff between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Indian Army at Doklam near the Bhutan-Sikkim-China trijunction was termed a “deadlock” by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday.
He said the crisis, which has been going on for two months, will be resolved soon and “China is also inclined towards it [finding a solution].” Mr. Singh made the statement at a pipping ceremony of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans posted along the China border. Later speaking on the sidelines of the function, Mr. Singh told reporters: “We expect a positive move from China soon.”
A senior Home Ministry official told The Hindu that the August 15 skirmish near the Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh, in which soldiers from the two armies kicked, punched and threw stones at each other, was a “deviant” incident. Lt. Gen. (Retired) Prakash Katoch first shared a video clip of the brawl on August 19. An official said an inquiry was under way to find the “source” of the video.
Another government official said the Ladakh incident was a repercussion to incidents in Doklam and Chinese PLA was indulging in such “frustrated acts” due to domestic compulsions and it could continue till its snowed in October. The ITBP is deployed along 3,488 km of the Himalayan border.
“They have been caught red-handed in Doklam — building a road in someone else’s territory. As the Army refused to retreat and stopped them from extending further down the Doklam plateau, they became frustrated and irritated and initiated the brawl in Ladakh,” the official said.
Mutual apologies
The official added that a day later during the flag meeting, both the armies admitted to their mistake and apologised to each other for trading punches and kicks and it was decided that such incidents will not be escalated in future. “But you never know with China, we cannot lower our guard. We have not rushed reinforcements but forces are at maximum alert along the China border,” the official said.
Mr. Singh also said India had never attacked any country and it doesn't have "expansionist" attitude. "But our forces are equipped to handle whoever comes in the way of India's security," he said.
He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited all neighbouring countries during the swearing-in ceremony in May 2014. “They (heads of State) were invited sincerely and did not come here only to shake hands,” he said
Quoting former Prime Minister A.B Vajpayee, Mr. Singh said “You could change your friends but not your neighbours.”