INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha that India's ties with China have not worsened in the aftermath
of the border tensions caused by the Galwan Valley clashes in eastern Ladakh on June 15.Minister of State for MEA, V Muraleedharan said this
in a written reply to a question asked by TMC MP Sougata Roy.Earlier, the Home Ministry told the Rajya Sabha that no infiltration had taken
place along the India-China border in the past six months
This statement came even as the standoff between the two countries in eastern Ladakh has stretched on for over four months.A day earlier,
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in his statement on the Ladakh border conflict told Parliament that China's attempt to "unilaterally"
change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control is not acceptable at all.On June 15, there was a violent faceoff between Indian and
Chinese troops in the strategically sensitive Galwan Valley
Twenty Indian soldiers, including a colonel-rank officer, were killed in it
While China too suffered casualties, it is yet to make its numbers public.The two sides have been embroiled in a major standoff at several
flashpoints in eastern Ladakh since early May
Despite several rounds of military and diplomatic talks, the situation has not improved.In its reply, the MEA said the government accords
the highest priority to India's relations with its neighbouring countries
It said, "India is an active political and economic partner of its neighbours and is involved in various projects, including development
projects with these countries
India also has extensive (education, culture, trade and investment linkages with neighbouring countries."In another query related to Chinese
official media's claims that Sikkim is part of China, the MEA said it is a well-known fact that Sikkim is an Indian state and an integral
and inalienable part of India
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China build-up now clear in Depsang | Op Snow Leopard: Inside story of how Army reclaimed heights in eastern LadakhALSO WATCH | Ladakh
standoff: Chinese foreign minister accuses Indian Army of firing along LAC
