China's strategic actions on LAC continue despite talks with India: Pentagon
WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has said in a report that China is taking "continuous strategic action" to pressurize its claim along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India. The report also said that China has also unsuccessfully tried to prevent India from deepening ties with the US. The Defence Department told the US Congress on Wednesday, 'The PRC (People's Republic of China) does not want India and America to come closer due to the border dispute. PRC officials have warned US officials not to interfere in PRC's relations with India.
The Pentagon said that in early May 2020, Chinese forces began infiltrating Indian-controlled territory from across the border and deployed troops to several standoff points along the LAC. Until June 2021, China and India had continued large-scale deployments along the Line of Actual Control. In addition, a substantial reserve force from the Tibet and Xinjiang military districts was deployed to interior parts of western China to be prepared for a quick response. In June 2020, 20 soldiers of India were martyred in the skirmish in Galwan Valley.
This was the first case of loss of life in a clash on the LAC after 1975. The Pentagon said that in February 2021, China's Central Military Commission (CMC) announced a posthumous award for 4 soldiers of the People's Liberation Army, although the total number of Chinese casualties was still not known. The Pentagon said that despite ongoing diplomatic and military talks to de-escalate tensions along the border, China continues to "increase strategic actions" to pressure its claims on the LAC.
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