The Indian Army has categorically rejected Chinese accusations of transgression’ in Asaphila area along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh, news agency PTI reported quoting official sources. The area is considered to be of vital strategic importance to both the Asian giants

Advertising

Indian authorities further informed that Chinese officials flagged the issue in a ‘Border Personnel Meeting’ (BPM) that was tabled on March 15 at Daimai post on the Chinese side in the Kibithu area. Indian Army, in its rejection of the Chinese claims, asserted that Asaphila area located in the upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India and that its troops have been regularly manoeuvring patrols at locations mentioned by the Chinese authorities.

ALSO READ | Country-wide IAF exercise to prepare for two–front threat posed by China, Pakistan

The Chinese officials also accused the Indian side of damaging its road building equipment when a road laying party left its equipment in Tuting in December last year following a protest by India. The Indian Army rejected those allegations as well, the PTI report said.

Advertising

ALSO READ | Chinese road building team enters Arunachal Pradesh, India seizes equipment

The Chinese road building crew had crossed into Indian territory, about one kilometre inside the Line of Actual Control in the Tuting area, in the last week of December. The road construction team left the area after Indian troops asked the crew to stop the activity. It is reported that the crew brought in two excavators which were later returned.

What coerced the Indian officials to answer with a full-fledged denial of the accusation was the language used by the Chinese to register its protest as the Chinese authorities called the Indian Army’s patrols in the area a ‘transgression’

“China’s protest to our patrolling in Asaphila is surprising,” PTI said quoting a source and added there were several instances of Chinese intrusions in the area which had been seriously taken up by the Indian side in the past.

BPM mechanism is regularly followed by both the sides to register their protests as there are often differing perceptions about the line of actual control (LAC) between the two countries who have historically engaged in both military and diplomatic conflicts owing to the border disputes along the McMahon Line. There are a total of five BPM points along the LAC at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in Ladakh, and Nathu La in Sikkim.

The Chinese delegation belonging to its military establishment- People’s Liberation Army specifically flagged the issue of extensive Indian Army patrols in Asaphila near Fishtail 1 on December 21, 22 and 23 last year, warning that these ‘violations’ might escalate geopolitical tensions between the two nations in the disputed area.

Rejecting the Chinese protest, the Indian Army clarified that its troops were aware of the alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Army shall continue to carry out patrols up to the LAC, the de facto border between the two countries.

In the aftermath of Doklam standoff, the Indian Army has increased combat drills to deal with all possible scenarios along the LAC, official sources informed PTI. “We are fully prepared to deal with any situation,” said a senior Army official.

From June 16 to August 28, the troops belonging to Indian Army and People’s Liberation Army found themselves engaged in a showdown after the Indian side stopped the building of a road by the Chinese Army in the disputed area of Doklam tri-junction. PTI Sources added that India has deployed more troops and intensified patrolling in the mountainous terrains along the borders with China following the Doklam face-off.

India is also strengthening its surveillance mechanism to take cognizance of the Chinese activity along the borders in the strategically vital Tibetan region and has even been regularly deploying choppers to carry out reconnaissance missions. In January, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat commented that the time had come for the country to shift its focus from its borders with Pakistan to the frontier with China, reflecting the graveness of the situation. </s> Kibithu (Arunachal Pradesh): In yet another incident of discord, the Chinese military last month strongly protested against what it called the Indian Army’s transgressions into the strategically sensitive Asaphila area along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh, but the Indian side roundly dismissed the complaint, official sources said.

They said the Chinese side raised the issue at a Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) on March 15 here but the Indian Army rejected it, saying that the area in the upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India and it has regularly been carrying out patrols there. The sources told PTI that the Chinese side called India’s patrolling in the area a “transgression” and the Indian Army objected to the terminology.

“China’s protest to our patrolling in Asaphila is surprising,” said a source, adding there were several instances of Chinese intrusions in the area which had been seriously taken up by the Indian side in the past. Under the BPM mechanism, both sides can register their protest over any incident of transgressions as there are varying perceptions about the LAC between the two countries.

The delegation of China’s People’s Liberation Army specifically mentioned extensive patrolling in Asaphila by Indian troops, saying such “violations” may escalate tensions between the two sides in the area. However, rejecting the Chinese protest, the Indian side said its troops were aware of the alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Army would continue to carry out patrols up to the LAC, the de facto border between the two countries. Perceptions of the border by India and China vastly differ in the area. </s> The Chinese military last month strongly protested against the Indian Army's "transgression" into the strategically sensitive Asaphila area along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh, but the Indian side roundly rejected the complaint. </s> In yet another incident of discord, the Chinese military last month strongly protested against what it called the Indian Army’s transgressions into the strategically sensitive Asaphila area along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh, but the Indian side roundly dismissed the complaint, official sources said.

They said the Chinese side raised the issue at a ‘Border Personnel Meeting’ (BPM) on March 15 here but the Indian Army rejected it, saying that the area in the upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India and it has regularly been carrying out patrols there.

The sources told PTI that the Chinese side called India’s patrolling in the area a “transgression” and the Indian Army objected to the terminology. “China’s protest to our patrolling in Asaphila is surprising,” said a source, adding there were several instances of Chinese intrusions in the area which had been seriously taken up by the Indian side in the past.

Under the BPM mechanism, both sides can register their protest over any incident of transgressions as there are varying perceptions about the LAC between the two countries.

The delegation of China’s Peoples Liberation Army specifically mentioned extensive patrolling in Asaphila by Indian troops, saying such “violations” may escalate tensions between the two sides in the area. However, rejecting the Chinese protest, the Indian side said its troops were aware of the alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Army would continue to carry out patrols up to the LAC, the de facto border between the two countries.

Perceptions of the border by India and China vastly differ in the area. The sources said the Chinese military specifically mentioned large-scale Indian patrolling in Asaphila near Fishtail 1 on December 21, 22 and 23 last. Indian and Chinese troops hold BPMs to resolve issues triggering tensions along the border. There are five BPM points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in Ladakh, and Nathu La in Sikkim.

The BPM on March 15 had taken place at the Daimai post on the Chinese side in the Kibithu area. At the BPM, the Chinese also accused the Indian side of damaging its road building equipment when a road laying party left its gear in Tuting in December last year following a protest by India. The Indian Army rejected the allegation, the sources said.

The Chinese road building team had crossed into Indian territory, about one kilometre inside the Line of Actual Control in the Tuting area, in the last week of December. The road construction team left the area after Indian troops asked them to stop the activity. The team brought in two excavators which were later returned.

The sources said the Indian Army has increased war-fighting drills to deal with all possible scenarios along the LAC following the Doklam standoff. “We are fully prepared to deal with any situation,” said a senior Army official.

Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day standoff in Doklam from June 16 last year after the Indian side stopped the building of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The face-off ended on August 28. Sources said India has deployed more troops and increased patrolling in the mountainous terrains along the borders with China following the Doklam face-off.

India is also strengthening its surveillance mechanism to keep an eye on Chinese activity along the borders in the strategically sensitive Tibetan region and has even been regularly deploying choppers to carry out recce. The government has been focusing on strengthening its defences along the border with China.

In January, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat had said the time had come for the country to shift its focus from its borders with Pakistan to the frontier with China, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App </s> In yet another conflict of interest between India and China, the later has raised objections to Indian Army's patrolling along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh. China has also accused Indian troops of transgressing into strategically sensitive Asaphila.

However, India has not only categorically rejected the allegations but also clarified that its troops will continue to carry out patrols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), PTI reported.

The issue of 'transgression' was brought up by Chinese officials during a Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) at Daimai post on the Chinese side in Kibithu March 15.

The 3,488-km LAC has 5 BPM points at Depsang in sub-sector north, Sappangur Gap in eastern Ladakh, Nathu La in Sikkim and Bumla and Kibithoo in Arunachal Pradesh. They come handy to commanders for resolving local issues and sort out differing perception of the border.

India was taken aback by China's allegations as the latter is infamous for infiltrating into Indian territory and airspace. Chinese military helicopters have violated the LAC multiple times in the last 30 days. The helicopters not only penetrated as far as 19km in places like Trig Heights and Depsang valley in Ladakh but were also been seen hovering over Indian Army posts.

"China's protest to our patrolling in Asaphila is surprising," PTI quoted a source as saying.

Which nation does Asaphila belong to?

The Indian Army has asserted that Asaphila in the upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India and that they have been regularly patrolling the locations mentioned by the Chinese authorities.

However, this is not the first time that China has claimed a place in Arunachal Pradesh as theirs. China claims that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of South Tibet and even renamed 6 places in their map.

In its defense, India has told China that the nation is aware of the alignment of the LAC.

Besides raising objections to Indian troops patrolling near the LAC, China had also said that India damaged its road building equipment in Arunachal Pradesh's Tuting in December 2017.

The Chinese men laying roads had reportedly crossed into Indian territory, about a kilometer inside the LAC in Tuting, in December 2017. However, on facing protests by the Indian Army, they stopped their activities and left the area. Two excavators were later returned to China without any damage, PTI reported.

India and China had ended its second-longest standoff on August 28, 2017. Since then, India has deployed more troops and intensified its patrolling in the mountainous terrains along the borders with China. </s> Tensions may escalate quickly between China and India following the latest diplomatic incident registered by Beijing along the countries’ border. China raised the issue at the Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) on March 15. The allegations were rejected by the Indian Army, which said the area belongs to India, which has regularly been carrying out patrols there. A source told Indian press agency PTI: ”China's protest to our patrolling in Asaphila is surprising.” The source also claimed that China had in the past crossed the border more than once.

The BPM are meeting points located on the Sino-Indian border which allow both sides to register their protests over any incident of transgressions and try to improve the relations between Beijing and Mumbai. At the latest meeting, which took place on the Chinese side of the border in the Kibithu area, the Chinese delegation lamented an extensive patrolling carried out by Indian troops on Asaphila, threatening that such “violations” may escalate tensions between the nations. The Chinese delegation also accused the Indian side of damaging its road building equipment when a road laying party left its gear in Tuting in December last year following a protest by India.

A source reported that India said the troops were aware of the alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Army would continue to carry out patrols up to the LAC. The LAC is a demarcation line that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory, alongside which there are five BPM points. Yet, perceptions of the border by India and China vastly differ in the area. India also shook off the accusation regarding the damaged building equipment, saying a Chinese road building team had crossed into Indian territory and left behind two excavators, which were later returned, after they were asked to leave. Earlier this month, Zhao Gancheng, director of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, claimed that India's "provocations" on the border will "destroy" the foundation of mutual trust and undermine bilateral ties. </s> Cutting across party lines, political leaders in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday strongly opposed China for its charge of “transgression” against the Indian Army in the state’s strategically sensitive Asaphila region.

From the ruling BJP to the opposition Congress and the PPA, the leaders spoke out against China, stressing that the area belonged to India.

The Asaphila region is in Arunachal Pradesh and belongs to India, and such patrolling is a regular practice there, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Takam Sanjoy said.

“China’s protest at a border personnel meeting (BPM) on March 15 ... is shocking and surprising,” Sanjoy, a former MP, said, adding that the charge was baseless.

PTI reported on Sunday that the Chinese military had protested against the Indian Army’s “transgression” into the Asaphila area along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh, a charge that was roundly rejected by the Indian side.

Taking strong exception to repeated allegations made by China, state BJP vice-president Dominic Tadar said Beijing needed to shed its negative attitude.

State civil supplies minister Kamlung Mossang, who represents the sensitive Miao Assembly constituency of Changlang district, said no nation should interfere in India’s internal matters.

“What it (India) does and where, are up to India’s lawmakers, planners and executors and nobody else’s affair,” he said.

While Sanjoy took a dig at the BJP-led NDA government for its “weak diplomatic policy” which he said had led to the current situation, senior People’s Party Leader (PPA) Takam Pario slammed Bejing, saying such charges had no ground -- political or geographical.

“Beijing should not undermine democratically elected governments ruling India as well as Arunachal Pradesh. India is the largest democracy in the world and always toes democratic principles in its every action,” Pario said and advised China to rise above its narrow diplomatic attitude.

PPA president Kahfa Begin charged China with forcibly occupying large areas of India following the 1962 war.

Citing the example of Duya village where indigenous Nah and Tagin tribes of Arunachal Pradesh still live, he said China should return India’s land instead of claiming Indian territory as its own. </s> China has released a map to back its claim that Indian troops "transgressed" into the disputed Doklam area of the Sikkim sector, days after releasing photographs of alleged Indian incursion into the area, which it claims as part of Chinese territory.

In the map, released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry last night, a blue arrow with markings in Chinese, points Indian troops alleged "transgression" into the area to prevent the PLA troops from building a road.

The map shows Doklam, a disputed territory between China and Bhutan, as part of Chinese territory.

In an unprecedented move, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang on Thursday displayed two photographs of the alleged Indian "incursion" into the area during a media briefing.

Later, the ministry uploaded two photographs on its website. One photo showed two bulldozers stated to be that of the Indian military while another showed one bulldozer. A redline in the photos was showed as "Chinese side of the border".

A standoff erupted between the two militaries after the Indian Army blocked construction of the road by China in the disputed Doklam area.

Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim.

China alleged that the Indian troops "trespassed" the recognised delineated boundary between China and India on June 18.

India yesterday expressed deep concern over China constructing the road in the disputed area and said it had conveyed to Beijing that such an action would represent a significant change of status quo with "serious" security implications for India.

India's reaction follows a face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the area, prompting Beijing to take a tough stance and demand withdrawal of Indian troops from the Sikkim sector as a precondition for "meaningful dialogue" to resolve the situation.

The stand-off between the Indian and Chinese troops led to the cancellation of the Kailash Mansarovar yatra through Nathu La in Sikkim. </s> China has released a map to back its claim that Indian troops "transgressed" into the Doklam area of the Sikkim sector, which it claims as part of its territory.

In the map, released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, a blue arrow with markings in Chinese points Indian troops alleged transgression into the area to prevent the PLA troops from building a strategic road.

Bhutan has protested to China asserting that the area is part of its territory and Chinese action is vocative of 1988 and 1998 agreements.

The map is in addition to two photographs released on Thursday purportedly showing Indian troops on the Chinese side of the border.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang displayed the photographs of the alleged Indian "incursion" into the area during a media briefing.

Later, the ministry uploaded them on its website. One photo showed two bulldozers stated to be that of the Indian military while another showed one bulldozer. A redline in the photos was showed as "Chinese side of the border".

A standoff erupted between the two militaries after the Indian Army blocked construction of the road by China in the Doklam area.

Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim.

China alleged that the Indian troops "trespassed" the recognised delineated boundary between China and India on June 18.

India on Friday expressed deep concern over China constructing the road in the disputed area and said it had conveyed to Beijing that such an action would represent a significant change of status quo with "serious" security implications for India.

India's reaction follows a face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the area, prompting Beijing to take a tough stance and demand withdrawal of Indian troops from the Sikkim sector as a precondition for "meaningful dialogue" to resolve the situation.

The stand-off between the Indian and Chinese troops led to the cancellation of the Kailash Mansarovar yatra through Nathu La in Sikkim.
The Indian Army rejects Chinese categorisations of its patrols in Asaphila near the disputed Arunachal Pradesh border as "transgressions", and accuses China of damaging Indian roadlaying equipment.