China creating multiple fronts like one in Ladakh to take advantage of global COVID-19 situation: US diplomat
Washington: A senior US diplomat feels that China is creating multiple fronts, like the one which it attempted to create in Ladakh, to take advantage of the current situation when the world is busy combating COVID-19 outbreak.
Interestingly, the lethal virus is believed to have originated from China.
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, David Stilwell, made this observation at a press conference during a conference call, in which he added that the US is watching the India-China border dispute very closely, reports ANI.
Talking about the recent India-China stand-off in eastern Ladakh area, he was quoted as saying by the news agency, "One explanation for creating multiple fronts like this is an assessment in Beijing that the world is distracted and is focused entirely on survival, right, recovering from the corona pandemic, which then possibly is seen as an opportunity to take advantage of the distraction."
"This activity [Chinese incursion] is similar to the activity we have seen in the past on border disputes with the PRC [Peoples Republic of China], and again, I would point you to those - I think it was 2015 when Xi Jinping travelled to India the first time," Stilwell added.
India-China faceoff in Ladakh
More than four decades after the last fatality occurred during a conflict at the India-China border, at least 20 Indian personnel were killed in the conflict with the Chinese military at the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, which is close to Aksai Chin, an area that is controlled by China but claimed by both the countries.
In a strong reaction to the violent standoff, Modi had earlier said his nation wants peace but can give a befitting reply, if instigated, reminding people of the airstrike conducted by the Indian Army following the Pulwama terror attack in 2019.
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