Keen on avoiding a diplomatic incident two days ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival in India, the government played down allegations of incursions by Chinese soldiers and civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Chumar and Demchok sectors of Ladakh.
Refusing to confirm the reports, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, “All I will say is our brave sentinels at the border will address any issues there are.” He also denied reports that the Defence Ministry had asked the External Affairs Ministry to take up the alleged incursions diplomatically.
Earlier in the day, an official in Leh complained that Chinese civilians had entered India and opposed work on a bund under the MGNREGS. On earlier occasions, Chinese soldiers had opposed projects along the Line of Actual Control, but this time, Divisional Commissioner S. Singh told ANI that “Chinese civilians have also come to oppose work and are showing banners.” Last month, similar reports of incursions were denied by Army Chief General Dalbir Singh.
The government is preparing for what it calls a “once-in-a-decade” event when the Chinese President lands in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. This is only the third visit by a Chinese President.
