MEA On China-Pakistan: The External Affairs Ministry issued its annual report on Monday (March 13) strongly criticizing both Pakistan and China. The Ministry of External Affairs alleged that Pakistan is spreading propaganda to defame India. The ministry has said in the report that India’s relations with China are ‘complex’. The Chinese attempt to unilaterally change the status quo on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in April-May 2020 seriously injured peace in the border areas.
The report states that these efforts have received a befitting response from the Indian Armed Forces. The 2022 annual report of the Ministry of External Affairs stated that the two sides agreed that maintaining peace and tranquility on the border would be the essential basis for the overall development of bilateral relations until the final resolution of the border issues.
What did the Ministry of External Affairs say on China?- The Ministry of External Affairs said that both sides should resolve the issues along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh through peaceful dialogue and withdraw completely from all points of conflict and on the India-China border. They have agreed to restore peace as soon as possible. Negotiations are going on with the Chinese side for this. However, bilateral relations have since been affected by China’s continued unilateral efforts to change the status quo.
"There are still some pending issues"- It said that both sides have made some progress towards resolving issues along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. Steps were taken to desegregate in Pangong Tso in February 2021 and the Gogra sector in August 2021, although some outstanding issues still remain and need to be resolved. The Ministry said that India has talked about maintaining contact with China through diplomatic and military channels to resolve the remaining issues so that peace can be quickly restored in the border areas.
What about Pakistan?- Coming down heavily on Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs said the neighboring country is engaged in hostile and fabricated propaganda to defame India and divert attention from its domestic political and economic failures. The ministry said that no stone is left unturned in Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. Pakistan has not yet shown any seriousness in providing justice to the families of the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
"Want normal relations with neighbors"- The Ministry of External Affairs said that India desires normal neighborly relations with Pakistan and it has been our consistent position that issues should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully in an environment free from terrorism and violence. He also said that it is Pakistan’s responsibility to create such a favorable environment.
Mentioned Pakistan’s rhetoric on Kashmir- Referring to the repeated statements on Kashmir, the Ministry of External Affairs said that India has completely rejected all Pakistan’s statements. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and matters related to it are internal to the country. It said that India consistently raises the issue of Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism and infiltration at bilateral, regional and multilateral fora. In such cases, reliable information is also shared about the Pakistani origin of the captured terrorists.
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