China on Thursday responded to reports of transgression by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops in Uttarakhand by saying that they are yet to “verify the authenticity of the reports.”
We still need to verify the authenticity of the reports. I would like to emphasis here that Chinese border defence troops always abided by relevant agreements signed between the two countries.Senior Colonel Yang Yujun, Chinese Defence Spokesman
He further added that the Chinese troops “always conducted activities on the Chinese side of Line of Actual Control. We are committed to maintaining peace and stability along the China-India border.”
Chinese troops transgressed the border on 19 July in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand earlier this month when its men stationed themselves in a dimilitarised zone and its helicopters flew in the Indian air space for over five minutes.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat termed the development as “something to worry about”. He, then backtracked on his statement saying there isn’t “any cause for alarm.”
When asked about the Indian army beefing up security along the border in Ladakh with reported deployment of tanks to match the development on the Chinese side, Yang said, “We have token note of the relevant report”.
“I would like to emphasise that China and India are neighbours, partners not competitors or enemies,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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