Chinese incursion localised, goal is status quo ante: India

New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) India reiterated Thursday that the Chinese incursion in Depsang area in Ladakh is “localised in geographical and spatial terms” and the goal is to see the Chinese troops return to the position before the April 15 intrusion, an official said.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that India has been able to “communicate its concerns” to Beijing over the incursion by Chinese troops 19 km inside Indian territory.

“The point is very clear that this is an incident limited in geographical scope and spatial,” said the spokesperson, adding that the “goal is that we return to status quo as it was prior to April 15”.

He added that the channels of both countries were active to resolve the situation.

Asked if External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid was to go ahead with his May 9 Beijing visit, he said that the minister had said that he intends to go and “that is the word”.

On Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s forthcoming visit to Delhi, the spokesperson said both sides were in discussion on it and working out appropriate dates for the visit.

“The preparations are in an advanced stage of planning and discussions,” he added.

A Chinese platoon set up a camp 19 km inside the Indian territory in Ladakh’s Depsang Valley April 15. Both sides have held three inconclusive flag meetings so far.

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