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Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint along the highway to Ladakh, in Gagangeer, Ganderbal district of Kashmir, June 17, 2020. Photo/REUTERS/Danish Ismail
He noted the move came after China significantly increased its presence on the disputed border since 2020.
Chinese and Indian troops clashed in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9, marking the first clash between the two nuclear-armed Asian nations in nearly two years.
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The fighting did not last long, as both sides quickly disengaged, with only a few soldiers suffering minor injuries.
India’s defense ministry says the fighting was sparked by Chinese troops attempting to cross the disputed Himalayan border and accuses Beijing of trying to “unilaterally” change the status quo in the region.
Following the incident, the opposition Indian National Congress accused the government of being “indifferent” to threats from China and called for the border situation to be urgently discussed.
Jaishankar responded by stating, “If we are indifferent to China, who sent Indian soldiers to the border? If we are indifferent to China, then why are we pressuring China today to cut back and disengage? Why do we openly say that our relationship is not normal?
Beijing, meanwhile, has asked New Delhi to “strictly control and contain” its troops on the front lines.
China offers to work together to maintain peace and tranquility on the border.
