China again blames India for border friction

China  again blamed India for the ongoing border friction along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.  India and China are facing challenges in bilateral ties, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday. Common efforts were needed to maintain good relations between China and India, ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. New Delhi has repeatedly dismissed Beijing’s claims, saying it was the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops who had illegally trespassed the LAC.

Beijing was responding to Indian external affairs minister, S Jaishankar’s statement during an international think-tank interaction on Wednesday, saying bilateral ties are at the “most difficult phase” in the last three to four decades in the backdrop of the months-long impasse at the border.  The Chinese foreign ministry blamed New Delhi for the troubles. “The merits of the situation at the border area is very clear and the responsibility totally lies with the Indian side. China has been strictly observing the agreements signed between the two sides and committed to resolving the border issue through dialogue and we are committed to safeguarding regional peace and tranquillity at border areas,” Hua said.