China Rejects India’s Claims on Border Patrols as Unfounded

Dragon Media News Desk

China has rejected India’s claim that Chinese troops have caused tensions along the border by straying from established patrol patterns. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China strictly observes the agreements and understandings reached between the two countries and conducts regular patrols and border management activities to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and stability in border areas.

On October 23, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the border situation was periodically disturbed when Chinese forces diverged from established patrolling patterns. He added that both sides continued to use diplomatic and military channels to resolve outstanding issues and prevent misunderstandings or miscalculations along the Line of Actual Control.

Guo said China and India remained in communication through diplomatic and military channels. He urged India to work with China to implement their existing understandings and maintain peace and stability in border areas.

Speaking to the Global Times, Qian Feng, director of the Research Department at Tsinghua University’s National Strategy Institute, described India’s public accusations as a tactical move over patrol issues. He said domestic political considerations might also be involved, while diplomatic and military dialogue remained possible.

The leaders of China and India met on September 12 on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Xinhua reported that they agreed the two countries should act as partners and make progress on bilateral relations and border issues in parallel.

Qian said border disputes should be managed through established mechanisms and that individual incidents should not be allowed to affect the overall relationship. He added that practical cooperation in less sensitive areas could help reduce the impact of differences and encourage a balanced public understanding of bilateral ties.

Stable relations between China and India could unlock cooperation between the two major economies, ease strategic pressures and contribute to peace and development in Asia, Qian said.