China and India will soon on hold a flag meeting to enable the Chinese troops to retrieve their equipment that they left behind after intruding into Arunachal Pradesh to construct a road at least 800 metres inside India. The incident took place on December 28, 2017. The Indian Army and the ITBP stopped the dozen-odd Chinese civilian construction workers from working there following which they returned to their side across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) the same day. There was no stand-off between Indian and Chinese forces as they never came in contact with each other.
China on Wednesday did not comment on the intrusion but said it “never acknowledged” the existence of Arunachal Pradesh.
Giving details about the latest incident, the sources from the Defence said here the flag meeting as per the mutually agreed mechanism between two countries such matters is likely to be held in the same place in Tuting, Arunachal Pradesh where the intrusion took place on December 28. India will register its protest over the incident and also ask the Chinese to take back their equipment including two excavators and water tanker left behind by the workers.
Officials also said this is the first time that the area witnessed such an incident as there is no difference of perception or dispute in that part and sector of the LAC.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in Beijing that China had “never acknowledged” the existence of Arunachal Pradesh.
Asked about the transgression, he said “For the specific situation you mentioned, I am not aware of it,” Geng said according to PTI. “First of all on the border issue, our position is clear and consistent. We never acknowledged the existence of so called Arunachal Pradesh,” he reiterated.
“I want to mention that between China and India there is a well-developed mechanism for border related affairs. Through this mechanism, China and India could manage the border affairs. Maintaining peace and stability at the border suits both China and India,” the spokesman said.
The transgression was first noticed by civilians in Tuting located at a height of about 11,000-12,000 feet in upper Siang district. The ITBP and Army were informed and a joint patrol rushed there to stop track alignment undertaken by the Chinese workers. They returned to their side when asked to do so, officials said adding that the entire process took about four to five hours.
Sources also said there were no Chinese troops with the construction team and the Chinese Army post is located at least four to five km from the LAC. Not willing to take any chances, a team of about 40 Indian soldiers is camping in the region, they added.
The transgression took place months after a 70-day face-off between India and China in Doklam sector of Sikkim.
The stand-off came about when the Indian Army objected to road construction by the Chinese in the disputed area. Nearly 300 troops from both the sides were in eyeball to eyeball situation till the issue was resolved at the highest diplomatic and political levels between India and China. The two sides returned to their respective posts on August 28.
Commenting on the recent talks between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi in New Delhi on December 22 regarding the long standing border dispute, the Chinese spokesman said, “Both sides made clear that the two countries will work together for the continuous improvement of China-India ties. The two sides will jointly maintain peace stability of the border areas.” This was the 20th round of talks between the two countries.