Russian President Vladimir Putin is resisting attempts made by the US and its allies to isolate his country over its invasion of Ukraine by organising significant military drills along with China, India and others.

The week-long Vostok-2022 war games, which began on Thursday in Russia, include naval drills in the sea and are anticipated to involve over 50,000 soldiers and 5,000 pieces of military equipment and weapons. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Russia’s Collective Security Treaty are taking part in the routine drills, Bloomberg reported.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iaea-wants-permanent-presence-at-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-to-avoid-nuclear-accident-511905">Also read |&nbsp;IAEA wants 'permanent presence' at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to avoid 'radiation accident'</a>

However, when it comes to India, it previously refrained from participating in the drills and taking Russia’s side in the conflict, but due to its dependency on Moscow for armaments and concerns with border issues with China and Pakistan, it is expected that India will send 75-member team for drills. The US, on the other side, is wooing India as its defence partner and pleading with it not to go against UN sanctions against Russia.

But, during the UNSC’s procedural vote last week, India voted against Russia for the first time and also suspended plans to jointly develop helicopters and other deals with Russia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-military-may-begin-recruiting-convicted-criminals-us-intelligence-511902">Also read |&nbsp;Russian military may begin recruiting 'convicted criminals': US intelligence</a>

On the other hand, China refused to criticise Russia for its invasion and also opposed UN sanctions against it. China’s army, navy, and air force participated in drills, the defence ministry said. The country also provided Russia with technology and military supplies despite the risk of US secondary sanctions.

Countries like Syria, Algeria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Tajikistan, along with others, are also participating in the war games.

(With inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Russian President Vladimir Putin is resisting attempts made by the US and its allies to isolate his country over its invasion of Ukraine by organising significant military drills along with China, India and others.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is resisting attempts made by the US and its allies to isolate his country over its invasion of Ukraine by organising significant military drills along with China, India and others. The week-long Vostok-2022 war games, which began on Thursday in Russia, include naval drills in the sea and are anticipated to involve over 50,000 soldiers and 5,000 pieces of military equipment and weapons. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Russia’s Collective Security Treaty are taking part in the routine drills, Bloomberg reported. Also read | IAEA wants 'permanent presence' at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to avoid 'radiation accident' However, when it comes to India, it previously refrained from participating in the drills and taking Russia’s side in the conflict, but due to its dependency on Moscow for armaments and concerns with border issues with China and Pakistan, it is expected that India will send 75-member team for drills. The US, on the other side, is wooing India as its defence partner and pleading with it not to go against UN sanctions against Russia. But, during the UNSC’s procedural vote last week, India voted against Russia for the first time and also suspended plans to jointly develop helicopters and other deals with Russia. Also read | Russian military may begin recruiting 'convicted criminals': US intelligence On the other hand, China refused to criticise Russia for its invasion and also opposed UN sanctions against it. China’s army, navy, and air force participated in drills, the defence ministry said. The country also provided Russia with technology and military supplies despite the risk of US secondary sanctions. Countries like Syria, Algeria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Tajikistan, along with others, are also participating in the war games. (With inputs from agencies)

Despite US opposition, Russia holds Vostok-2022 war games with China, India, other nations

China has recruited local Tibetans in new militia units raised by People's Liberation Army in the Chumbi valley.

Chumbi valley is an area between Sikkim and Bhutan and is a part of the Tibetan plateau. Administratively, it is part of Yadong County in Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lashes-out-at-us-over-trade-restrictions-on-xinjiang-firm-393943">China lashes out at US over trade restrictions on Xinjiang firm</a>

The name of the militia is Mimang Cheton, which means "for the public" in Tibetan. The militia has been set up&nbsp;with the aim to use their information and skills in border area for collecting and using&nbsp;information of local geography, language and other local information.

WION has learnt that 200 locals have completed training and are currently deployed in various locations in the valley such as Yutung, Cheema, Rinchengang, PB Thang and Phari. Another batch is being trained in Phari area in the valley. The training is imparted by PLA and currently, the personnel do not have uniform nor ranks.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/18-killed-16-injured-in-fire-at-china-martial-arts-school-393808" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/18-killed-16-injured-in-fire-at-china-martial-arts-school-393808&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjEoKux5rLxAhWM6nMBHeCvCxgQFjABegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3_9zfHgCzSKL4TT2BIjD39" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/18-killed-16-injured-in-fire-at-china-martial-arts-school-393808" target="_blank">18 killed, 16 injured in fire at&nbsp;China&nbsp;martial arts school</a>

Usually, China, as a policy, is not keen on raising units in its forces based on ethnicity. The long-standing policy hold, with few exceptions, starting to emerge, Tibet seems to see other developments as well including new drills.&nbsp;

The new development comes amid Chinese aggressive actions with India at the Line of Actual Control in Western Ladakh. The over-year-long stand-off continues even though&nbsp;Pangong lake saw disengagement under a pact in February. Last year, India lost 20 soldiers in the Galwan incident which was caused by violent actions of the Chinese soldiers.

China has recruited local Tibetans in new militia units raised by People's Liberation Army in the Chumbi valley. Chumbi valley is an area between Sikkim and Bhutan and is a part of the Tibetan plateau.

China has recruited local Tibetans in new militia units raised by People's Liberation Army in the Chumbi valley. Chumbi valley is an area between Sikkim and Bhutan and is a part of the Tibetan plateau. Administratively, it is part of Yadong County in Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Also read | China lashes out at US over trade restrictions on Xinjiang firm The name of the militia is Mimang Cheton, which means "for the public" in Tibetan. The militia has been set up with the aim to use their information and skills in border area for collecting and using information of local geography, language and other local information. WION has learnt that 200 locals have completed training and are currently deployed in various locations in the valley such as Yutung, Cheema, Rinchengang, PB Thang and Phari. Another batch is being trained in Phari area in the valley. The training is imparted by PLA and currently, the personnel do not have uniform nor ranks. Also read | 18 killed, 16 injured in fire at China martial arts school Usually, China, as a policy, is not keen on raising units in its forces based on ethnicity. The long-standing policy hold, with few exceptions, starting to emerge, Tibet seems to see other developments as well including new drills. The new development comes amid Chinese aggressive actions with India at the Line of Actual Control in Western Ladakh. The over-year-long stand-off continues even though Pangong lake saw disengagement under a pact in February. Last year, India lost 20 soldiers in the Galwan incident which was caused by violent actions of the Chinese soldiers.

China recruits Tibetans in new militia unit near border with India

In Arunachal Pradesh, satellite images show that China has managed to build a village on land occupied by the People's Liberation Army, sparking a fresh controversy between the two neighbours. The village - consisting of 101 new homes has been built on land controlled by the PLA since 1959 and is not on territory controlled by India.

The village has been built on the disputed border in Upper Subansiri district territory under Chinese control. Sources in the defence ministry have said that Beijing has, for years, maintained an army post on this territory and the various constructions by the Chinese have not happened suddenly.

The satellite images from November 2020 show the village constructed in the eastern range of the Himalayas. Comparing this with the satellite image from August 2019, the Chinese have made a substantial upgrade.

China's 1959 operation is known as the Longju incident. In June 1959, China accused Indian troops of occupying some places in Tibet and colluding with Tibetan rebels.

In August, the People's Liberation Army clashed with the Indian personnel - the 9 Assam Rifles. Two Indian soldiers were killed in action and the issue was finally resolved through diplomatic channels. Both sides withdrew from the area on August 20, 1960.

And the Assam Rifles did not re-occupy the post. In the late 1990s however, China established a company level post 3 kilometres inside Indian territory. In early 2000s the PLA extended the track further into Indian territory. And the area remains contested to this day.

India's External Affairs Ministry acknowledged the satellite images and said that the Indian government has also stepped up border infrastructure including construction roads, bridges, etc.

The ministry said that India keeps a constant watch on all developments. The ministry also said that India is taking all the necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, India's ruling party BJP lawmaker from the state of Arunachal Pradesh expressed concerns and spoke about the issue.

"Since the 80s till today, they (China) are occupying this area and construction of villages is not a new thing. They have already constructed military base between Bisa and Maza which is inside McMahon Line, under Indian territory," Tapir Gao, BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh, said.&nbsp;

Indian and Chinese soldiers confronted each other in their deadliest clash in decades in Ladakh last year The stand-off in the region continues through this winter with thousands of troops from both sides deployed on the frontline at extreme altitudes in sub-zero temperatures.

In Arunachal Pradesh, satellite images show that China has managed to build a village on land occupied by the People's Liberation Army, sparking a fresh controversy between the two neighbours.

In Arunachal Pradesh, satellite images show that China has managed to build a village on land occupied by the People's Liberation Army, sparking a fresh controversy between the two neighbours. The village - consisting of 101 new homes has been built on land controlled by the PLA since 1959 and is not on territory controlled by India. The village has been built on the disputed border in Upper Subansiri district territory under Chinese control. Sources in the defence ministry have said that Beijing has, for years, maintained an army post on this territory and the various constructions by the Chinese have not happened suddenly. The satellite images from November 2020 show the village constructed in the eastern range of the Himalayas. Comparing this with the satellite image from August 2019, the Chinese have made a substantial upgrade. China's 1959 operation is known as the Longju incident. In June 1959, China accused Indian troops of occupying some places in Tibet and colluding with Tibetan rebels. In August, the People's Liberation Army clashed with the Indian personnel - the 9 Assam Rifles. Two Indian soldiers were killed in action and the issue was finally resolved through diplomatic channels. Both sides withdrew from the area on August 20, 1960. And the Assam Rifles did not re-occupy the post. In the late 1990s however, China established a company level post 3 kilometres inside Indian territory. In early 2000s the PLA extended the track further into Indian territory. And the area remains contested to this day. India's External Affairs Ministry acknowledged the satellite images and said that the Indian government has also stepped up border infrastructure including construction roads, bridges, etc. The ministry said that India keeps a constant watch on all developments. The ministry also said that India is taking all the necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Meanwhile, India's ruling party BJP lawmaker from the state of Arunachal Pradesh expressed concerns and spoke about the issue. "Since the 80s till today, they (China) are occupying this area and construction of villages is not a new thing. They have already constructed military base between Bisa and Maza which is inside McMahon Line, under Indian territory," Tapir Gao, BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh, said. Indian and Chinese soldiers confronted each other in their deadliest clash in decades in Ladakh last year The stand-off in the region continues through this winter with thousands of troops from both sides deployed on the frontline at extreme altitudes in sub-zero temperatures.

Village built by China in Arunachal Pradesh part of area under PLA control since 1959

Since late May, China has positioned nearly 5,000 troops and occupied at least three areas along its disputed border with India, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In some instances, armed forces on both sides have punched, kicked, and thrown stones. 20 Indian and reportedly 35 Chinese soldiers have been killed, many others have been injured, and both sides have prepared heavy weapons in the event of further escalation. Even if the tensions ease, they will not vanish completely, and important questions remain. Why is China provoking India? What should India (and others in the Indo-Pacific region) do? With regard to China’s motivation, the clash along the India-China border has three important similarities with the situations in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Examining these similarities helps to contextualize China’s actions along the LAC and indicates how India, as well as neighbours like Vietnam and Japan, should respond to China’s provocations. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The first similarity of note is China’s repeated disregard for international law when laying claim to new territory. In the South China Sea, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague rejected China’s claim to sovereignty over much of the South China Sea in 2016. Despite this, China continues to claim and occupy the area. In the East China Sea, China did not claim the Senkaku Islands before the 1970s. China’s attitude has since changed due to the potential existence of oil reserves in the East China Sea. Now, Chinese Coast Guard ships enter Japan’s territorial waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands and pursue Japanese fishing boats to claim sovereignty over this sea. The nonobservance of this international border further demonstrates China’s attitude of territorial entitlement and disrespect for international law. And China is expressing the same attitude at the India-China border. In this case, Dr Lobsang Sangay, the President of the Tibetan exile administration, expressed that the Dalai Lama considers the disputed territories of both Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh (along the LAC) to be a part of India. Thus, there is a high possibility that China’s claim to areas along the India-China border is legally baseless.&nbsp;

A second recurring facet of China’s behaviour is its exploitation of military power vacuums. For example, China occupied half of the Paracel Islands just after France withdrew from Indochina in the 1950s. In 1974, China expanded its presence to all of the Paracel Islands after the US withdrew from South Vietnam. Additionally, China occupied six features of the Spratly Islands after the Soviet Union decreased its military presence in Vietnam in 1988. Again in 1995, China laid claim to Mischief Reef after US troops withdrew from the Philippines.&nbsp;

In the India-China border area, the military balance has changed recently, causing China to mistakenly infer that there is a power vacuum. According to the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database published in April 2020, from 2010–2019, China increased its military expenditures 85 per cent. In comparison, India increased its expenditures by 37 per cent. Though India’s military defences along the Indo-China border are not weak, the gap between the two countries’ defence budgets has widened in the last decade. And along with the greater relative increase in military spending, China’s military activities have also increased. In 2011, China has made about 213 incursions into the LAC. But since 2011, the number of incursions have increased greatly: 426 (2012), 411 (2013), 460 (2014) , 428 (2015), 296 (2016), 473 (2017), 404 (2018). And last year, the number reached 663 incursions. This year, when India and the world are focusing on the COVID-19 crisis, China is trying to exploit the situation even more aggressively.&nbsp;

Finally, China’s arguably lawless expansionism is usually paired with an effort to exclude countries that are outside the region. In the South China Sea, China blames its assertive behaviour on the intervention of outsiders. Similarly, in the case of the India-China border, China is trying to halt Indian cooperation with the US, Japan, and Australia, which India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stepped up of late. This month, India just concluded a Logistical Support Agreement with Australia. If India and Japan conclude a similar pact, all four countries will have agreed to Logistical Support Agreements (Japan calls this agreement Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement, instead of LSA). China believes the agreements among these four countries are an effort at containment and therefore wants to stop them. To do so, which country would China choose to pressure? The most likely answer is India because China and India share a nearly 4,000 km land border (unlike the US, Japan, and Australia), allowing China to leverage its army. Moreover, China perceives that it can more easily persuade India to leave the US-led security framework because India and the US are not formal allies. Much like its behaviour in the South China Sea, China is using its military to pressure India to drop foreign partnerships that might inhibit China. &nbsp;

China’s lack of respect for international law, expansion of territorial claims where there are power vacuums, and efforts to exclude outside actors from the regional intervention are all common themes of China’s exploits in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and now the India-China border. Thus, the question remains—how do countries affected by China’s ambitions, like India, Vietnam, and Japan, respond? Knowing the pattern of China’s behaviour points toward the answer: they should do the opposite of what China wants. First, countries around China must continue to respect the rules-based order grounded in current international law. Second, China’s neighbours need to fill military power vacuums by increasing their defence budgets. And third, countries around China need to continue to enhance security cooperation with the US, Australia, and other like-minded countries. When India, Vietnam, Japan, etc., cooperate with the US, Australia, or other like-minded countries, the partnerships should promote not only regional security (helping to fill those power vacuums), but also economic cooperation. The strength of China’s army depends on an ample military budget. Thus, China’s neighbours should avoid supporting China’s economy (and hence funding its military) by strengthening relations with the US, Australia, and other like-minded countries. If those in the Indo-Pacific region care to limit China’s territorial encroachments, they must directly counter China’s behaviours and intentions. &nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Since late May, China has positioned nearly 5,000 troops and occupied at least three areas along its disputed border with India, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Since late May, China has positioned nearly 5,000 troops and occupied at least three areas along its disputed border with India, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In some instances, armed forces on both sides have punched, kicked, and thrown stones. 20 Indian and reportedly 35 Chinese soldiers have been killed, many others have been injured, and both sides have prepared heavy weapons in the event of further escalation. Even if the tensions ease, they will not vanish completely, and important questions remain. Why is China provoking India? What should India (and others in the Indo-Pacific region) do? With regard to China’s motivation, the clash along the India-China border has three important similarities with the situations in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Examining these similarities helps to contextualize China’s actions along the LAC and indicates how India, as well as neighbours like Vietnam and Japan, should respond to China’s provocations. The first similarity of note is China’s repeated disregard for international law when laying claim to new territory. In the South China Sea, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague rejected China’s claim to sovereignty over much of the South China Sea in 2016. Despite this, China continues to claim and occupy the area. In the East China Sea, China did not claim the Senkaku Islands before the 1970s. China’s attitude has since changed due to the potential existence of oil reserves in the East China Sea. Now, Chinese Coast Guard ships enter Japan’s territorial waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands and pursue Japanese fishing boats to claim sovereignty over this sea. The nonobservance of this international border further demonstrates China’s attitude of territorial entitlement and disrespect for international law. And China is expressing the same attitude at the India-China border. In this case, Dr Lobsang Sangay, the President of the Tibetan exile administration, expressed that the Dalai Lama considers the disputed territories of both Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh (along the LAC) to be a part of India. Thus, there is a high possibility that China’s claim to areas along the India-China border is legally baseless. A second recurring facet of China’s behaviour is its exploitation of military power vacuums. For example, China occupied half of the Paracel Islands just after France withdrew from Indochina in the 1950s. In 1974, China expanded its presence to all of the Paracel Islands after the US withdrew from South Vietnam. Additionally, China occupied six features of the Spratly Islands after the Soviet Union decreased its military presence in Vietnam in 1988. Again in 1995, China laid claim to Mischief Reef after US troops withdrew from the Philippines. In the India-China border area, the military balance has changed recently, causing China to mistakenly infer that there is a power vacuum. According to the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database published in April 2020, from 2010–2019, China increased its military expenditures 85 per cent. In comparison, India increased its expenditures by 37 per cent. Though India’s military defences along the Indo-China border are not weak, the gap between the two countries’ defence budgets has widened in the last decade. And along with the greater relative increase in military spending, China’s military activities have also increased. In 2011, China has made about 213 incursions into the LAC. But since 2011, the number of incursions have increased greatly: 426 (2012), 411 (2013), 460 (2014) , 428 (2015), 296 (2016), 473 (2017), 404 (2018). And last year, the number reached 663 incursions. This year, when India and the world are focusing on the COVID-19 crisis, China is trying to exploit the situation even more aggressively. Finally, China’s arguably lawless expansionism is usually paired with an effort to exclude countries that are outside the region. In the South China Sea, China blames its assertive behaviour on the intervention of outsiders. Similarly, in the case of the India-China border, China is trying to halt Indian cooperation with the US, Japan, and Australia, which India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stepped up of late. This month, India just concluded a Logistical Support Agreement with Australia. If India and Japan conclude a similar pact, all four countries will have agreed to Logistical Support Agreements (Japan calls this agreement Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement, instead of LSA). China believes the agreements among these four countries are an effort at containment and therefore wants to stop them. To do so, which country would China choose to pressure? The most likely answer is India because China and India share a nearly 4,000 km land border (unlike the US, Japan, and Australia), allowing China to leverage its army. Moreover, China perceives that it can more easily persuade India to leave the US-led security framework because India and the US are not formal allies. Much like its behaviour in the South China Sea, China is using its military to pressure India to drop foreign partnerships that might inhibit China. China’s lack of respect for international law, expansion of territorial claims where there are power vacuums, and efforts to exclude outside actors from the regional intervention are all common themes of China’s exploits in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and now the India-China border. Thus, the question remains—how do countries affected by China’s ambitions, like India, Vietnam, and Japan, respond? Knowing the pattern of China’s behaviour points toward the answer: they should do the opposite of what China wants. First, countries around China must continue to respect the rules-based order grounded in current international law. Second, China’s neighbours need to fill military power vacuums by increasing their defence budgets. And third, countries around China need to continue to enhance security cooperation with the US, Australia, and other like-minded countries. When India, Vietnam, Japan, etc., cooperate with the US, Australia, or other like-minded countries, the partnerships should promote not only regional security (helping to fill those power vacuums), but also economic cooperation. The strength of China’s army depends on an ample military budget. Thus, China’s neighbours should avoid supporting China’s economy (and hence funding its military) by strengthening relations with the US, Australia, and other like-minded countries. If those in the Indo-Pacific region care to limit China’s territorial encroachments, they must directly counter China’s behaviours and intentions. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

What should India do now to fight China's provocations?

China today welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s remarks in Russia that not a single bullet has been fired at Sino-India border in the last 40 years despite the simmering boundary dispute between the two neighbours.

&quot;We have noted positive remarks made by Prime Minister Modi. We welcome that,&quot; Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told media briefing here when asked about Modi&#39;s comments made during his visit to Russia last week.

Modi said the world has increasingly become interconnected and inter-dependent, a transformation that has made it necessary for India and China to cooperate on trade and investments despite a simmering border dispute.

&quot;It is true that we have a border dispute with China. But in the last 40 years, not a single bullet has been fired because of the border dispute,&quot; Modi said speaking at a panel discussion at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Reacting to his remarks, Hua said, &quot;we have been stressing that as two major countries China and India maintaining sound, steady and in-depth growth of the bilateral relationship is of great significance.&quot;

&quot;Actually, leaders of the two countries pay great attention to the boundary question. Each time they meet they exchange views on this issue. Both sides have agreed that an early question of boundary question serves the interests of the both sides. It is also a strategic goal both sides are striving to achieve,&quot; she said.

Referring to the 19 rounds of boundary talks held by the special representatives of both sides, Hua said both sides have &quot;taken serious measures to maintain peace and tranquillity of the border areas.&quot;

&quot;The two sides will stick to the overall relationship of the bilateral relationship and deepen cooperation in relevant field so as to realise common development and bring more benefits for the people of both sides,&quot; she said.

&quot;We believe that the sound and steady growth of the bilateral relationship will also bring more benefits to the whole region and the world at large,&quot; she added.

Modi&#39;s remarks, as well as China&#39;s reaction, comes in the backdrop of growing discord between the two countries over a host of issues including the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Beijing blocking India&#39;s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group as well as the listing of JeM leader Masood Azhar a terrorist by UN.

(PTI)

China welcomed Modi's remarks in Russia that not a single bullet has been fired at Sino-India border in the last 40 years despite the border dispute

China today welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks in Russia that not a single bullet has been fired at Sino-India border in the last 40 years despite the simmering boundary dispute between the two neighbours. "We have noted positive remarks made by Prime Minister Modi. We welcome that," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told media briefing here when asked about Modi's comments made during his visit to Russia last week. Modi said the world has increasingly become interconnected and inter-dependent, a transformation that has made it necessary for India and China to cooperate on trade and investments despite a simmering border dispute. "It is true that we have a border dispute with China. But in the last 40 years, not a single bullet has been fired because of the border dispute," Modi said speaking at a panel discussion at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. Reacting to his remarks, Hua said, "we have been stressing that as two major countries China and India maintaining sound, steady and in-depth growth of the bilateral relationship is of great significance." "Actually, leaders of the two countries pay great attention to the boundary question. Each time they meet they exchange views on this issue. Both sides have agreed that an early question of boundary question serves the interests of the both sides. It is also a strategic goal both sides are striving to achieve," she said. Referring to the 19 rounds of boundary talks held by the special representatives of both sides, Hua said both sides have "taken serious measures to maintain peace and tranquillity of the border areas." "The two sides will stick to the overall relationship of the bilateral relationship and deepen cooperation in relevant field so as to realise common development and bring more benefits for the people of both sides," she said. "We believe that the sound and steady growth of the bilateral relationship will also bring more benefits to the whole region and the world at large," she added. Modi's remarks, as well as China's reaction, comes in the backdrop of growing discord between the two countries over a host of issues including the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Beijing blocking India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group as well as the listing of JeM leader Masood Azhar a terrorist by UN. (PTI)

China welcomes Modi's 'not a single bullet fired along Sino-India border' remark

Upping the ante, China has for the first time announced &quot;standardised&quot; official names for six places in Arunachal Pradesh, days after it lodged strong protests with India over the Dalai Lama&#39;s visit to the frontier state.

The state media here said the move was aimed at reaffirming China&#39;s claim over the state. China claims the state as &quot;South Tibet&quot;.

&quot;China&#39;s Ministry of Civil Affairs announced on April 14 that it had standardised in Chinese characters, Tibetan and Roman alphabet the names of six places in &#39;South Tibet&#39;, which India calls &#39;Arunachal Pradesh&#39;, in accordance with the regulations of the central government,&quot; state-run Global Times reported today.

The official names of the six places using the Roman alphabet are Wo&#39;gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoid&ecirc;ngarbo Ri, Mainquka, B&uuml;mo La and Namkapub Ri.

The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488 kilometres-long Line of Actual Control (LAC). While China claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covers Aksai Chin area which was occupied by China during the 1962 war.

The two sides have so far held 19 rounds of talks with Special Representatives to resolve the boundary dispute.

China&#39;s move comes just days after the Dalai Lama&#39;s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, which was seventh since he fled from Tibet through Tawang and sought refuge in India.

During the 81-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader&#39;s Arunachal Pradesh visit, China had warned India that it will take &quot;necessary measures&quot; to defend its territorial sovereignty and interests.

Commenting on the standardisation of the names of six places, Chinese experts said that it was a move to &quot;reaffirm the country&#39;s territorial sovereignty to the disputed region&quot;, according to the daily.

&quot;The standardisation came amid China&#39;s growing understanding and recognition of the geography in South Tibet. Naming the places is a step to reaffirm China&#39;s territorial sovereignty to South Tibet,&quot; Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic studies at Beijing&#39;s Minzu University of China, was quoted as saying.

Xiong said that the legalisation of the regions&#39; names is a part of the rule of law.

&quot;These names have existed since ancient times, but had never been standardised before. Therefore, announcing the names is like a remediation,&quot; Guo Kefan, a research fellow at the Tibet Academy of Social Sciences, said.

Standardising the names from the angles of culture and geography could serve as a reference or leverage when China and India negotiate border issues in future, Guo said.

&quot;The South Tibet region is located alongside China&#39;s southwestern border and India&#39;s north-eastern border where Sino-Indian border disputes are cantered,&quot; the report said.

It claimed that India &quot;abruptly announced that it was officially designating the region as &#39;Arunachal Pradesh&#39; but the Chinese government has neither recognised India&#39;s occupation of the region, nor the legitimacy of the province&quot;.

During the Dalai Lama Arunachal Pradesh visit, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who accompanied the Tibetan spiritual leader, had asserted that that Arunachal Pradesh is &quot;an inseparable part of India&quot;.

China had lodged a diplomatic protest with India over the visit and warned that it would have a negative impact on the efforts to resolve the border dispute.

After the nine-day visit of the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang had said that India should not use the Tibetan spiritual leader to undermine China&#39;s interests.

(PTI)

Chinese state media said the move was aimed at reaffirming Beijing's claim over the state, which it calls 'South Tibet'

Upping the ante, China has for the first time announced "standardised" official names for six places in Arunachal Pradesh, days after it lodged strong protests with India over the Dalai Lama's visit to the frontier state. The state media here said the move was aimed at reaffirming China's claim over the state. China claims the state as "South Tibet". "China's Ministry of Civil Affairs announced on April 14 that it had standardised in Chinese characters, Tibetan and Roman alphabet the names of six places in 'South Tibet', which India calls 'Arunachal Pradesh', in accordance with the regulations of the central government," state-run Global Times reported today. The official names of the six places using the Roman alphabet are Wo'gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoidêngarbo Ri, Mainquka, Bümo La and Namkapub Ri. The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488 kilometres-long Line of Actual Control (LAC). While China claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covers Aksai Chin area which was occupied by China during the 1962 war. The two sides have so far held 19 rounds of talks with Special Representatives to resolve the boundary dispute. China's move comes just days after the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, which was seventh since he fled from Tibet through Tawang and sought refuge in India. During the 81-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader's Arunachal Pradesh visit, China had warned India that it will take "necessary measures" to defend its territorial sovereignty and interests. Commenting on the standardisation of the names of six places, Chinese experts said that it was a move to "reaffirm the country's territorial sovereignty to the disputed region", according to the daily. "The standardisation came amid China's growing understanding and recognition of the geography in South Tibet. Naming the places is a step to reaffirm China's territorial sovereignty to South Tibet," Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic studies at Beijing's Minzu University of China, was quoted as saying. Xiong said that the legalisation of the regions' names is a part of the rule of law. "These names have existed since ancient times, but had never been standardised before. Therefore, announcing the names is like a remediation," Guo Kefan, a research fellow at the Tibet Academy of Social Sciences, said. Standardising the names from the angles of culture and geography could serve as a reference or leverage when China and India negotiate border issues in future, Guo said. "The South Tibet region is located alongside China's southwestern border and India's north-eastern border where Sino-Indian border disputes are cantered," the report said. It claimed that India "abruptly announced that it was officially designating the region as 'Arunachal Pradesh' but the Chinese government has neither recognised India's occupation of the region, nor the legitimacy of the province". During the Dalai Lama Arunachal Pradesh visit, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who accompanied the Tibetan spiritual leader, had asserted that that Arunachal Pradesh is "an inseparable part of India". China had lodged a diplomatic protest with India over the visit and warned that it would have a negative impact on the efforts to resolve the border dispute. After the nine-day visit of the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang had said that India should not use the Tibetan spiritual leader to undermine China's interests. (PTI)

China renames 6 places in Arunachal Pradesh