BEIJING, Oct 26: China on Monday asserted that it was adhering to agreements and mutual understandings with India, while defending its routine border patrols as necessary to protect territorial sovereignty and maintain stability along the frontier.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the statement in response to remarks by India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, who recently highlighted recurring disruptions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) when Chinese troops deviate from established patrolling patterns.
“China strictly abides by the relevant agreements and common understandings reached between the two countries,” Guo said at a media briefing, adding that Beijing conducts regular border patrol and control activities to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and stability in the border regions.
He noted that the two countries continue to communicate through diplomatic and military channels to address issues concerning their shared frontier.
Guo called on India to cooperate with China in implementing the understandings reached between the two sides, emphasising the need for practical efforts to preserve peace and tranquillity in border areas.
Last week, Jaiswal said that situations along the LAC occasionally become unsettled when Chinese forces move away from established patrolling practices. He reiterated that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border remains essential for the broader development of India-China relations.
His comments followed observations by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapur, who said confrontations between Indian and Chinese troops continued at several locations along the border in Arunachal Pradesh.
Jaiswal also underlined that both countries were using existing diplomatic and military mechanisms to address unresolved matters and prevent misunderstandings or miscalculations along the frontier.
Relations between New Delhi and Beijing deteriorated sharply after the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020, followed by a prolonged military standoff that continued for more than four years. Over the past year, the two countries have undertaken several initiatives to improve bilateral ties and reduce tensions.
In September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
During the meeting, Modi emphasised the importance of respecting each other’s core concerns and said bilateral relations should be guided by the principles of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.
The latest exchange of statements highlights the continuing importance of border management and sustained communication as both countries seek to stabilise relations while addressing outstanding differences along the LAC.