India rejects China's claims of sovereignty over Galwan Valley

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said China's claim over Galwan valley was not in accordance with its own position in the past, noting that its attempts of transgression were invariably met with an appropriate response from the Indian troops.

"The position with regard to the Galwan Valley area has been historically clear. Attempts by the Chinese side to now advance exaggerated and untenable claims with regard to Line of Actual Control (LAC) there are not acceptable. They are not in accordance with China’s own position in the past," he said.

Sharma said Indian troops are fully familiar with the alignment of the LAC in all sectors of the India-China border areas, including in the Galwan Valley and " they abide by it scrupulously here, as they do elsewhere. The Indian side has never undertaken any actions across the LAC. In fact, they have been patrolling this area for a long time without any incident.  All infrastructure built by the Indian side is naturally on its own side of the LAC."

He said the Chinese side has been hindering India's normal, traditional patrolling pattern in this area since mid May which had resulted in a face-off which was addressed by the ground commanders as per the provisions of the bilateral agreements and protocols.

"We do not accept the contention that India was unilaterally changing the status quo. On the contrary, we were maintaining it," he added.

Srivastava said India expects China will sincerely follow the understanding reached between the Foreign Ministers to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas, which is for the overall development of our bilateral relations.