Tensions Rise as China’s Foreign Minister Visits Amidst Disputes

New Delhi, Aug 18 (PTI) — As China's foreign minister prepares to arrive in New Delhi this Monday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh slams the government, emphasizing that the visit occurs just months after Beijing supplied arms and intelligence to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

Ramesh claims India bears consequences for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "clean chit" to China on the Galwan conflict, labeling it an affront to the sacrifice of 20 Indian soldiers who perished in the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020.

“Only three months ago, China fully supported Pakistan in Operation Sindoor, providing J-10C fighters, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and various missiles and drones,” Congress communications official Ramesh noted on X.

Quoting Lt Gen Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Ramesh added, “On July 4, 2025, Singh confirmed China as one of India's adversaries in Operation Sindoor.”

Operation Sindoor, initiated on May 7 as a response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack where terrorists killed 26, inflicted significant damage on terror camps in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and Pakistan. Despite a counter-attack from Pakistan, it had no major impact and hostilities ceased by May 10. Ramesh highlighted China's new construction of the 60 GW Medog Dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, posing "serious implications" for India.

“Despite the Army's wish to revert to the pre-April 2020 status, the government’s October 2024 disengagement agreement requires Chinese approval for Indian patrols to access Depsang, Demchok, and Chumar,” he emphasized.

India also consented to "buffer zones" in Galwan, Hot Springs, and Pangong Tso, all areas within India's claim line, as per Ramesh’s assertions.

“This deviates significantly from the pre-aggression status quo. India pays for PM Modi’s infamous June 19, 2020 statement claiming no one intruded into our territory,” Ramesh argued.

"This statement trivialized and disrespected the sacrifice of the 20 soldiers in Galwan," he charged.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled for talks with Prime Minister Modi during his two-day visit starting Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed.

The anticipated Tuesday meeting is significant, occurring right before Modi's trip to China for the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Before meeting the PM, Wang will conduct separate discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, covering border, trade, and flight service topics.

Wang's visit is viewed as part of efforts to repair India-China relations strained by the Galwan clashes.

During his visit, discussions on confidence-building measures for sustained peace along their shared border are anticipated, as per sources on Sunday.