Days after Chinese troops transgressed into the Indian territory in Yangtse in Arunachal Pradesh, Minister of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju told The Hindu that it was a minor scuffle between the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its Indian counterpart. He also said that the Chinese even gave a box of chocolates and a gift to Indian Army personnel while leaving Yangste.
The statement comes at a time when India is seeking China’s support for entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
Late last week Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attempted to reach out to China on the issue through Russia.
“The Chinese did not intrude into the Indian territory. There were some differences between PLA troops and Indian Army. During the meeting they also exchanged chocolates and departed on a sweet note. There was no violence, no intrusion or transgression,” said Mr. Rijiju.
On June 9, four groups of PLA personnel simultaneously arrived up to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Yangtse district and stayed there for over eight hours.
China claims Arunachal Pradesh as its own territory and still gives stapled visas to local residents.
“A mild scuffle reportedly took place between the Indian Army and Chinese PLA when the former stopped them 650 metres from the Indian side. Thereafter four PLA officers and an interpreter reportedly met the commanding officer of the Indian Army on the LAC and presented him two chocolate packets and a gift packet,” said a report prepared by the Home Ministry.
Yangtse is one of the identified disputed pockets between the two countries and is in India’s possession, said an official.
PLA patrols on the Yangtse are unusually big compared to other areas, said the official.
The area has witnessed regular transgressions since 2011 with one reported every year during the summer months. The official said 2013 was an exception as only two transgressions were reported that year.
During transgressions in 2011-13, PLA personnel resorted to scuffles with the Indian Army.
Army officials had said two days ago that this happens regularly due to differences in perception on the boundary and after claiming that the area belongs to China, troops tend to go back.
In March, Chinese troops had entered Indian territory in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir.
