Beijing calls for calm as India deploys 100 tanks to the Indo-China border

July 26, 2016;

International Business Times

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson has expressed hopes for the situation to remain peaceful.

The Beijing government has urged peace after India deployed 100 tanks to its border with China in Ladakh. Citing the India-China border as being having always been “stable”, China said that India should continue to resolve their territorial disputes through peaceful negotiation.

The Indian military’s deployment of T-72 tanks to the Chinese border came as a reaction to an “increase in force levels” from across the border. Beijing had been increasing its military presence in the border region over the past few years, causing concern for the government in New Delhi.

On 22 July, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lu Kang, said: “The two countries should abide by relevant agreements and consensus, work in concert to maintain peace and tranquility of the border area and create a favourable environment for improving bilateral mutual trust and bolstering the proper settlement of the boundary question.”

Kang added that there has previously been “significant agreements” reached between China and India on the border dispute. However, some have hinted that India’s recent army deployment could hamper Chinese investments in India.

An article in the Global Times, part of China’s Communist Party newspaper group, said: “It is puzzling that while deploying tanks near China’s border, India still strives to woo Chinese investment. The deploying of tanks near the Indo-China border may hit a nerve within the Chinese businesses community, causing investors to weigh the threat of political instability when they make investment decisions.”

According to Indian broadcaster NDTV, the number of Indian boots along the border have increased “exponentially” and more are expected over the next few months. It has indicated that China is prepared to hit India with between 60,000 to 80,000 soldiers in the case of any hostilities.

Lt Gen SK Patyal, Commander of the Leh-based 14 Crops, told NDTV: “We have to defend our international borders, whatever it takes in terms of infrastructure and accretion, we are doing it in the best possible manner.”