Last Updated: March 09, 2024, 08:05 IST
A troop of 10,000 soldiers, previously sent to the western border, has been deployed to strengthen its disputed border with China.
(Getty Image for Representation)
“We believe that India’s practice is not conducive to safeguarding peace and is not conducive to easing tensions,” Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said
China called India’s move to add more troops along its disputed border “not conducive to easing tensions” between New Delhi and Beijing, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry told the media on Friday.
According to a Bloomberg report, a troop of 10,000 soldiers, previously sent to the western border, has been deployed to strengthen its disputed border with China, senior Indian Army officials said on the condition of anonymity.
Nine thousand soldiers originally assigned to the disputed Chinese border will now be under the newly formed fighting command. The combined force will guard a 532 km (330.57 mi) border separating the northern Indian states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh from the China-occupied Tibet region
“China is committed to working with India to safeguard the peace and stability of the border areas. We believe that India’s practice is not conducive to safeguarding peace and is not conducive to easing tensions,” Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said, according to a TOI report.
Mao also added that “India’s increase in military deployments in border areas does not help to calm the situation in the border areas or to safeguard peace and safety in these areas”.
The latest development comes days after Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s preparedness for war amid multiple challenges along the country’s border. “We have never occupied anyone’s land but, if anyone attacks us, we are in a position to give a befitting reply,” Singh said while speaking at NDTV’s maiden Defence Summit on March 7.
“We have to be ready for war at all times… even in peacetime. We have to be ready. Whether from land, air, or sea… if anyone attacks India our forces will respond strongly. We have never occupied anyone’s land but, if anyone attacks us, we are in a position to give a befitting reply,” the Defence Minister added.
