India, China Traditionally Good Friends, Border Issue Can Be Resolved Through Talks: CPI Leader


New Delhi: Communist Party of India MP Binoy Viswam on Tuesday said that India and China are “traditionally good friends” and that the “border issue can be resolved through talks” amid fresh clash between troops of two countries at Arunchal’s Tawang sector along the Line of Actual Control. 

“CPI’s consistent position is, border disputes should be resolved. Military way isn’t the way. India-China are good friends traditionally. They can meet, initiate dialogue and through talks it can be resolved. But every inch of Indian soil is precious for we Indians,” he said. 

In view of the tensions at the border, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a high-level meeting with Army Chief and Chief of Defence Staff. 

Indian and Chinese troops clashed near the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector on December 9. The face-off saw personnel from both sides sufferring minor injuries, ANI reported. The development comes as India and China are engaged in talks to resolve another standoff in eastern Ladakh.

The Indian troops resolutely confronted the Chinese PLA soldiers. Injuries on the Chinese side were reportedly “much higher than on the Indian side”, sources said.

“Indian troops in Tawang gave befitting response to Chinese troops. Number of Chinese soldiers injured is more than that of Indian soldiers. The Chinese had come heavily prepared with around 300 soldiers but didn’t expect Indian side also to be well prepared,” ANI quoted military sources as saying. Both sides then immediately disengaged from the area.