Ladakh Union Territory illegally set up by India, says China 

NEW DELHI: After 44 new bridges in border areas were opened by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, China lashed out at India by stating that it does not recognize the Ladakh Union Territory illegally set up by India" and opposes infrastructure building in the region.

According to Zhao Lijian, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, the border infrastructure development by India has been the root cause for tension between the two sides, He further added that both countries should take action that might escalate tensions.

"First I want to make it clear that China does not recognise the Ladakh Union Territory illegally set up by the Indian side and the Arunachal Pradesh. We stand against the development of infrastructure facilities aimed at military contention along the border area. Based on consensus, neither should take actions along the border that might escalate the situation that is to avoid undermining the efforts by the two sides to ease the situation," he said.

"We urge the Indian side to earnestly implement our consensus and refrain from actions that might escalate the situation and take concrete measures to safeguard peace and tranquillity along the border," he added.

Meanwhile, India has stated that the new bridges will facilitate faster movement of troops and weapons closer to the border.

News of the bridges emerged as senior military officials of India and China met on Monday at Chushul in Ladakh for the seventh time to restore calm after several recent confrontations. The talks lasted for more than 11 hours and ended around 11:30 pm.

Meanwhile, the joint statement after the talks had no mention of China's stand on Ladakh. The two sides said they agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and arrive at a mutually acceptable solution for disengagement as early as possible.