India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has accused China, once again, of not abiding by past agreements and referred the events of this year as “disturbing, raised basic concerns”.
Jaishankar, speaking at the 93rd Annual General Meeting of the industry body FICCI, said that what has happened in Ladakh is not in the interest of China either.
“Other side violated agreements of past, it has seriously impacted public sentiments regarding China in India. The real danger is the goodwill which was so carefully developed will dissipate. However, I have confidence we will rise to the occasion”, Jaishankar said.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Thursday blamed India for the border standoff while reacting to S. Jaishankar’s comments that bilateral ties have been “very significantly damaged” as China has given India "five differing explanations" for its actions in Ladakh.
Nevertheless, the two sides have continued to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels. The two sides expect that further discussions will help to achieve an agreement on a mutually acceptable solution for ensuring complete disengagement at all friction points along the Line of Actual Control in the western sector as early as possible.
Ties between the two neighbours have been strained since June this year, when a violent face-off broke out between their soldiers over a disputed demarcation line high up in the Himalayas. India said at least 20 of its soldiers were killed.