The Indian Army has categorically rejected Chinese accusations of transgression’ in Asaphila area along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh, news agency PTI reported quoting official sources. The area is considered to be of vital strategic importance to both the Asian giants

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Indian authorities further informed that Chinese officials flagged the issue in a ‘Border Personnel Meeting’ (BPM) that was tabled on March 15 at Daimai post on the Chinese side in the Kibithu area. Indian Army, in its rejection of the Chinese claims, asserted that Asaphila area located in the upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India and that its troops have been regularly manoeuvring patrols at locations mentioned by the Chinese authorities.

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The Chinese officials also accused the Indian side of damaging its road building equipment when a road laying party left its equipment in Tuting in December last year following a protest by India. The Indian Army rejected those allegations as well, the PTI report said.

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ALSO READ | Chinese road building team enters Arunachal Pradesh, India seizes equipment

The Chinese road building crew had crossed into Indian territory, about one kilometre inside the Line of Actual Control in the Tuting area, in the last week of December. The road construction team left the area after Indian troops asked the crew to stop the activity. It is reported that the crew brought in two excavators which were later returned.

What coerced the Indian officials to answer with a full-fledged denial of the accusation was the language used by the Chinese to register its protest as the Chinese authorities called the Indian Army’s patrols in the area a ‘transgression’

“China’s protest to our patrolling in Asaphila is surprising,” PTI said quoting a source and added there were several instances of Chinese intrusions in the area which had been seriously taken up by the Indian side in the past.

BPM mechanism is regularly followed by both the sides to register their protests as there are often differing perceptions about the line of actual control (LAC) between the two countries who have historically engaged in both military and diplomatic conflicts owing to the border disputes along the McMahon Line. There are a total of five BPM points along the LAC at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in Ladakh, and Nathu La in Sikkim.

The Chinese delegation belonging to its military establishment- People’s Liberation Army specifically flagged the issue of extensive Indian Army patrols in Asaphila near Fishtail 1 on December 21, 22 and 23 last year, warning that these ‘violations’ might escalate geopolitical tensions between the two nations in the disputed area.

Rejecting the Chinese protest, the Indian Army clarified that its troops were aware of the alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Army shall continue to carry out patrols up to the LAC, the de facto border between the two countries.

In the aftermath of Doklam standoff, the Indian Army has increased combat drills to deal with all possible scenarios along the LAC, official sources informed PTI. “We are fully prepared to deal with any situation,” said a senior Army official.

From June 16 to August 28, the troops belonging to Indian Army and People’s Liberation Army found themselves engaged in a showdown after the Indian side stopped the building of a road by the Chinese Army in the disputed area of Doklam tri-junction. PTI Sources added that India has deployed more troops and intensified patrolling in the mountainous terrains along the borders with China following the Doklam face-off.

India is also strengthening its surveillance mechanism to take cognizance of the Chinese activity along the borders in the strategically vital Tibetan region and has even been regularly deploying choppers to carry out reconnaissance missions. In January, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat commented that the time had come for the country to shift its focus from its borders with Pakistan to the frontier with China, reflecting the graveness of the situation.</s>In yet another conflict of interest between India and China, the later has raised objections to Indian Army's patrolling along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh. China has also accused Indian troops of transgressing into strategically sensitive Asaphila.

However, India has not only categorically rejected the allegations but also clarified that its troops will continue to carry out patrols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), PTI reported.

The issue of 'transgression' was brought up by Chinese officials during a Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) at Daimai post on the Chinese side in Kibithu March 15.

The 3,488-km LAC has 5 BPM points at Depsang in sub-sector north, Sappangur Gap in eastern Ladakh, Nathu La in Sikkim and Bumla and Kibithoo in Arunachal Pradesh. They come handy to commanders for resolving local issues and sort out differing perception of the border.

India was taken aback by China's allegations as the latter is infamous for infiltrating into Indian territory and airspace. Chinese military helicopters have violated the LAC multiple times in the last 30 days. The helicopters not only penetrated as far as 19km in places like Trig Heights and Depsang valley in Ladakh but were also been seen hovering over Indian Army posts.

"China's protest to our patrolling in Asaphila is surprising," PTI quoted a source as saying.

Which nation does Asaphila belong to?

The Indian Army has asserted that Asaphila in the upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India and that they have been regularly patrolling the locations mentioned by the Chinese authorities.

However, this is not the first time that China has claimed a place in Arunachal Pradesh as theirs. China claims that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of South Tibet and even renamed 6 places in their map.

In its defense, India has told China that the nation is aware of the alignment of the LAC.

Besides raising objections to Indian troops patrolling near the LAC, China had also said that India damaged its road building equipment in Arunachal Pradesh's Tuting in December 2017.

The Chinese men laying roads had reportedly crossed into Indian territory, about a kilometer inside the LAC in Tuting, in December 2017. However, on facing protests by the Indian Army, they stopped their activities and left the area. Two excavators were later returned to China without any damage, PTI reported.

India and China had ended its second-longest standoff on August 28, 2017. Since then, India has deployed more troops and intensified its patrolling in the mountainous terrains along the borders with China.</s>In yet another incident of discord, the Chinese military last month strongly protested against what it called the Indian Army’s transgressions into the strategically sensitive Asaphila area along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh, but the Indian side roundly dismissed the complaint, official sources said.

They said the Chinese side raised the issue at a ‘Border Personnel Meeting’ (BPM) on March 15 here but the Indian Army rejected it, saying that the area in the upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India and it has regularly been carrying out patrols there.

The sources told PTI that the Chinese side called India’s patrolling in the area a “transgression” and the Indian Army objected to the terminology. “China’s protest to our patrolling in Asaphila is surprising,” said a source, adding there were several instances of Chinese intrusions in the area which had been seriously taken up by the Indian side in the past.

Under the BPM mechanism, both sides can register their protest over any incident of transgressions as there are varying perceptions about the LAC between the two countries.

The delegation of China’s Peoples Liberation Army specifically mentioned extensive patrolling in Asaphila by Indian troops, saying such “violations” may escalate tensions between the two sides in the area. However, rejecting the Chinese protest, the Indian side said its troops were aware of the alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Army would continue to carry out patrols up to the LAC, the de facto border between the two countries.

Perceptions of the border by India and China vastly differ in the area. The sources said the Chinese military specifically mentioned large-scale Indian patrolling in Asaphila near Fishtail 1 on December 21, 22 and 23 last. Indian and Chinese troops hold BPMs to resolve issues triggering tensions along the border. There are five BPM points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in Ladakh, and Nathu La in Sikkim.

The BPM on March 15 had taken place at the Daimai post on the Chinese side in the Kibithu area. At the BPM, the Chinese also accused the Indian side of damaging its road building equipment when a road laying party left its gear in Tuting in December last year following a protest by India. The Indian Army rejected the allegation, the sources said.

The Chinese road building team had crossed into Indian territory, about one kilometre inside the Line of Actual Control in the Tuting area, in the last week of December. The road construction team left the area after Indian troops asked them to stop the activity. The team brought in two excavators which were later returned.

The sources said the Indian Army has increased war-fighting drills to deal with all possible scenarios along the LAC following the Doklam standoff. “We are fully prepared to deal with any situation,” said a senior Army official.

Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day standoff in Doklam from June 16 last year after the Indian side stopped the building of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The face-off ended on August 28. Sources said India has deployed more troops and increased patrolling in the mountainous terrains along the borders with China following the Doklam face-off.

India is also strengthening its surveillance mechanism to keep an eye on Chinese activity along the borders in the strategically sensitive Tibetan region and has even been regularly deploying choppers to carry out recce. The government has been focusing on strengthening its defences along the border with China.

In January, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat had said the time had come for the country to shift its focus from its borders with Pakistan to the frontier with China, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App</s>Kibithu (Arunachal Pradesh): In yet another incident of discord, the Chinese military last month strongly protested against what it called the Indian Army’s transgressions into the strategically sensitive Asaphila area along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh, but the Indian side roundly dismissed the complaint, official sources said.

They said the Chinese side raised the issue at a Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) on March 15 here but the Indian Army rejected it, saying that the area in the upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India and it has regularly been carrying out patrols there. The sources told PTI that the Chinese side called India’s patrolling in the area a “transgression” and the Indian Army objected to the terminology.

“China’s protest to our patrolling in Asaphila is surprising,” said a source, adding there were several instances of Chinese intrusions in the area which had been seriously taken up by the Indian side in the past. Under the BPM mechanism, both sides can register their protest over any incident of transgressions as there are varying perceptions about the LAC between the two countries.

The delegation of China’s People’s Liberation Army specifically mentioned extensive patrolling in Asaphila by Indian troops, saying such “violations” may escalate tensions between the two sides in the area. However, rejecting the Chinese protest, the Indian side said its troops were aware of the alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Army would continue to carry out patrols up to the LAC, the de facto border between the two countries. Perceptions of the border by India and China vastly differ in the area.</s>Previous reports said guard rails have been set up along the border to prevent terrorists sneaking into China.

The informatization and mechanisation of equipment, vehicles and monitoring methods of People's Liberation Army border defence will give an early-warning of any risks to security as well as overcoming previous blind spots. (Photo: File)

Beijing: China's military is bolstering the management of its border defence by developing new types of equipment including a satellite early warning system that can be used to monitor the border areas in all environments, according to official media reports.

A satellite early-warning monitoring system is planned in some border areas that are in dispute or are difficult to enter and patrol, state-run Beijing Evening News reported Sunday.

A surveillance camera network has also been built in border zones and the density of coverage is set to increase to cover blind spots, the report said but did not mention which, or if all, of China's border regions are covered.

The Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China covered 3,488 kms which included Arunachal Pradesh, claimed by China as part of southern Tibet.

The informatization and mechanisation of equipment, vehicles and monitoring methods of People's Liberation Army (PLA) border defence will give an early-warning of any risks to security as well as overcoming previous blind spots, Song Zhongping, a military expert was quoted as saying by the Global Times.

The PLA has to increase the level of automation of its equipment, Song noted. This will include using drones and tracking vehicles to conduct patrols and setting up unmanned monitoring systems, which means border regions will come under continuous monitoring and control.

To cater to various geographic environments along China's long borders, the PLA has developed equipment that can be used in water, in the air or on land, Song said.

While reporting about the new border monitoring system, the Global Times mentioned Pangong Lake in Ladakh, where skirmishes took place between Indian and Chinese troops after border guards foiled an attempt by Chinese soldiers to enter Indian territory in August 2017.

The PLA has deployed a new patrol boat there which is made of non-metallic materials, the report said. The craft has a top speed of 40 km per hour and can resist ice collisions.

A type of heavy scout vehicle, called the "wild ox," capable of accommodating 17 full-armed soldiers, has been deployed to a border defence regiment in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, which shares a border with three countries.

Besides a BeiDou satellite navigation system, akin to that of US Global Position System (GPS), the vehicle also has a real-time communication system installed.

The scout vehicle also has water filters, a kitchen and a toilet so it can conduct patrols in tropical environments.

The report also implied that in the jungles of Yunnan, the sparsely populated deserts of Xinjiang and the high plateaus in Tibet, PLA troops began using drones to patrol more areas than 10 years ago, which has resulted in a 25-fold increase in efficiency.

Border defence troops in Koktokay, in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, have recently tested more than 20 types of new equipment.

Koktokay in northern Xinjiang and bordering Mongolia has an average temperature of -20 degree celsius in winter.

A new type of hot water bottle that can keep water hot for 24 hours has been issued to soldiers in Koktokay.

The troops garrisoned at Koktokay have also tested other new equipment such as cold-proof blankets, tents and snow camouflage suits.

"Logistics support is the main guarantee to generate combat capability," Song said.

"These changes all benefit from China's increasing military technology ability and innovation," Song noted.

Previous reports said guard rails have been set up along the border to prevent terrorists sneaking into China through Xinjiang's Kashgar, a prefecture that shares a border with Afghanistan, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Kyrgyzstan.

China has ramped up security along the Xinjiang border to prevent the crossings of militants of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) active in the province.</s>Coming as a shocking revelation for India, the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Monday stated that China has made multiple intrusion attempts in the Ladakh region in the month of March. While submitting a report to the Home Ministry (MHA) on China’s intrusion attempts, ITBP revealed that China intruded 6km into the Indian space in March 2018. The reports further claimed that Ladakh region is one of the most intruded Indian Territory by the Chinese forces. After entering into the region, the Chinese troops were forced to leave after ITBP’s intervention.

The areas near Pangong Lake in Ladakh region have been intruded thrice and that too in the month of May, the report said. There are reports of intrusion through these areas on February 27, March 6 and March 9, 2018, on cars. In last four months, there have been multiple intrusion attempts that were reported not only from Ladakh but from Arunachal Pradesh too. The Indian security forces, however, are alerted and making sure that Chinese troops never succeed in their evil intentions. On the contrary, the Chinese military has raised objections against Indian Army being patrolling along the borders in Arunachal Pradesh, which were later dismissed by Indian Army saying that the area in the upper Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India and it has regularly been carrying out patrols there.

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Last month, ITBP had reported several aerial intrusions by Chinese Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) helicopters into the Ladakh Region this year. The issue of the alleged transgressions came to light during Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) which was held on March 15. As per BPM guidelines, both sides can raise the issue over any incident of transgressions as there are a number of perceptions about the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two countries.</s>The Chinese military last month strongly protested against the Indian Army's "transgression" into the strategically sensitive Asaphila area along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh, but the Indian side roundly rejected the complaint.</s>Beijing: China on Monday asked India to respect the Line of Actual Control and refrain from "hyping up" the boundary issue and work with it to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

The Chinese foreign ministry's remarks came in response to a report that China has lodged a strong protest with New Delhi, alleging "transgression" by the Indian troops in the strategically sensitive Asaphila area along Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian side has dismissed Beijing's complaint.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang skirted a direct response to the report and said, " I do not understand the specific state of affairs that you mentioned that happened recently on the Sino-Indian border".

"Prior to the resolution of the border issue, it is hoped that the Indian side abides by the agreement protocol, respect and obey the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and refrain from hyping up the issue and work with China to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas," Geng said.

He, however, reiterated China's repeated stand that Beijing never recognised Arunachal Pradesh, which it claims as part of southern Tibet.

"China's position on the Sino-Indian boundary issue is consistent and clear. The Chinese government has never acknowledged the so-called Arunachal Pradesh," he said.

"Both China and India are negotiating to resolve the boundary issue between the two countries and seek a fair and reasonable solution acceptable to both sides," he said.

Both the countries have Special Representative talks mechanism to resolve the boundary issue.

The two countries so far have held 20 rounds of talks to resolve the boundary dispute and worked out different mechanisms to keep the peace along the 3,488 km-long LAC.

Asked about the recent visit of Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou to New Delhi on 6 April and reports of several Indian top ministers visiting China this month, Geng said, "China and India have a sound momentum of exchanges and close cooperation. It is not strange to have such kind of cooperation."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to due to visit China in June to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit to be held in the Chinese city of Qingdao.</s>Tensions may escalate quickly between China and India following the latest diplomatic incident registered by Beijing along the countries’ border. China raised the issue at the Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) on March 15. The allegations were rejected by the Indian Army, which said the area belongs to India, which has regularly been carrying out patrols there. A source told Indian press agency PTI: ”China's protest to our patrolling in Asaphila is surprising.” The source also claimed that China had in the past crossed the border more than once.

The BPM are meeting points located on the Sino-Indian border which allow both sides to register their protests over any incident of transgressions and try to improve the relations between Beijing and Mumbai. At the latest meeting, which took place on the Chinese side of the border in the Kibithu area, the Chinese delegation lamented an extensive patrolling carried out by Indian troops on Asaphila, threatening that such “violations” may escalate tensions between the nations. The Chinese delegation also accused the Indian side of damaging its road building equipment when a road laying party left its gear in Tuting in December last year following a protest by India.

A source reported that India said the troops were aware of the alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Army would continue to carry out patrols up to the LAC. The LAC is a demarcation line that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory, alongside which there are five BPM points. Yet, perceptions of the border by India and China vastly differ in the area. India also shook off the accusation regarding the damaged building equipment, saying a Chinese road building team had crossed into Indian territory and left behind two excavators, which were later returned, after they were asked to leave. Earlier this month, Zhao Gancheng, director of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, claimed that India's "provocations" on the border will "destroy" the foundation of mutual trust and undermine bilateral ties.</s>Cutting across party lines, political leaders in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday strongly opposed China for its charge of “transgression” against the Indian Army in the state’s strategically sensitive Asaphila region.

From the ruling BJP to the opposition Congress and the PPA, the leaders spoke out against China, stressing that the area belonged to India.

The Asaphila region is in Arunachal Pradesh and belongs to India, and such patrolling is a regular practice there, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Takam Sanjoy said.

“China’s protest at a border personnel meeting (BPM) on March 15 ... is shocking and surprising,” Sanjoy, a former MP, said, adding that the charge was baseless.

PTI reported on Sunday that the Chinese military had protested against the Indian Army’s “transgression” into the Asaphila area along the disputed border in Arunachal Pradesh, a charge that was roundly rejected by the Indian side.

Taking strong exception to repeated allegations made by China, state BJP vice-president Dominic Tadar said Beijing needed to shed its negative attitude.

State civil supplies minister Kamlung Mossang, who represents the sensitive Miao Assembly constituency of Changlang district, said no nation should interfere in India’s internal matters.

“What it (India) does and where, are up to India’s lawmakers, planners and executors and nobody else’s affair,” he said.

While Sanjoy took a dig at the BJP-led NDA government for its “weak diplomatic policy” which he said had led to the current situation, senior People’s Party Leader (PPA) Takam Pario slammed Bejing, saying such charges had no ground -- political or geographical.

“Beijing should not undermine democratically elected governments ruling India as well as Arunachal Pradesh. India is the largest democracy in the world and always toes democratic principles in its every action,” Pario said and advised China to rise above its narrow diplomatic attitude.

PPA president Kahfa Begin charged China with forcibly occupying large areas of India following the 1962 war.

Citing the example of Duya village where indigenous Nah and Tagin tribes of Arunachal Pradesh still live, he said China should return India’s land instead of claiming Indian territory as its own.
The Indian Army rejects Chinese categorisations of its patrols in Asaphila near the disputed Arunachal Pradesh border as "transgressions", and accuses China of damaging Indian roadlaying equipment.