China continues to claim Galwan Valley - Burning Issues

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China’s New Claim

Foreign ministry of Chinese government on June 19 said it claimed the entire Galwan valley (the site of the June 15 clash on the border), including the areas that are currently on India’s side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Foreign Ministry of China accused India of ‘unilaterally’ building roads, bridges and other facilities in the Galwan Valley region.

From Galwan Valley to Entire Galwan Valley

Statement issued by Chinese foreign ministry on Friday claim that entire Galwan valley up to the confluence point of River Shyok and River Galwan falls into Chinese territory.

From Galwan Valley to Entire Galwan Valley

This newly claimed area include the point where both armies clashed on 15th June and also the area where India has completed the construction of a bridge over Galwan river.

Previous Claims

Before June 19 claim , the border dispute was centred around narrow Galwan valley near the Line of Control.
The western few kilometer along stretch of the Galwan River up to the point where it meets the Shyok River, undisputedly belonged to India and China never claimed that land before June 19 ,2020.

Chinese Claims and Qing Dynasty

According to Chinese strategists China has historical rights on entire Galwan region. Multiple accounts of Qing dynasty have recorded that Galwan valley was a part of Chinese territory during Qing dynasty rule.
The Qing dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China. It was established in 1636, and ruled China proper from 1644 to 1912.
Qing rulers were patrons of Tibetan Buddhism.

China’s Nervousness with DSDBO Road .

China’s new claims are triggered by last year’s opening of the vital Darbuk-Shyok-Daulet Beg Oldie (DSDBO) road,
It runs parallel to the LAC providing key allweather access to the post at Daulet Beg Oldie, one of the northernmost points in Ladakh.
China may also be seeking access to areas closer to the confluence, from where it could neutralise the strategically important DSDBO road.

India’s Reply

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar replied that the Chinese side’s “pre-meditated and planned action” was behind the violence and casualties. Jaishankar also added that the “Chinese side sought to erect a structure in Galwan Valley on our side of the LAC” and set up the clash. I
ndian foreign minister also said that Chinese claims are “exaggerated and untenable”.

Ambiguous Statements by Indian Government

In all party meeting on Friday ,Prime Minister Narendra Modi said neither is anyone inside the Indian territory nor any of our border posts captured, and that India will not cede an inch of Indian land.

Ambiguous Statements by Indian Government

While Foreign Minister of India on Friday said that Chinese side sought to erect a structure in Galwan Valley on our side of the LAC and Chinese soldiers crossed LAC which resulted into bloodshed on June 15.
Media and opposition parties are alleging that Indian Government is hiding facts about June 15 clash between Indian Army and Chinese Army.

Clarification from PMO

PMO in its clarification on controversy issued a statement and said “Prime Minister’s observations that there was no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC pertained to the situation as a consequence of the bravery of our armed forces”.