China Enhances ‘Control Measures’ in Border with India Following Clashes

Chinese border defense troops have enhanced control measures in response to India's recent “construction of defense facilities across the border into Chinese territory” in the Galwan Valley region.

“Since early May, India has been crossing the boundary line in the Galwan Valley region and entering Chinese territory. The Indian side built defense fortifications and obstacles to disrupt Chinese border defense troops' normal patrol activities, purposefully instigated conflicts and attempted to unilaterally change the current border control situation,” state-owned Global Times said quoting official sources.

In view of the current situation, China's border defense troops have taken necessary measures to strengthen an on-the-spot response and control of border areas, resolutely safeguarding China's sovereignty and security and maintaining peace and stability in border areas, the report said.

Indian troops are being reinforced along the border with reports of China pitching tents near river Galwan and increasing construction activities. Reports reaching New Delhi indicate that China is increasing its presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border between the two, which has compelled India to fortify its strength, an Indian official told NDTV.

However, as a way to diffuse tensions, the border troops of China and India will keep in touch with each other on the current situation through meetings and representations.

Several Indian and Chinese soldiers were injured in a cross-border clash involving fistfights and stone-throwing at a remote but strategically important mountain pass near Tibet, the Indian army said on May 10.

The “stand-off” on  May 9 at Naku La sector near the 15,000-feet altitude  Nathu La crossing in the northeastern state of Sikkim – was later resolved after “dialogue and interaction” at a local level, the Army said.

One hundred and fifty soldiers were involved in the May 9 face-off, the Press Trust of India reported.