Shadow on diplomatic engagement with China: India cancels Chinese editors visit

India on Monday has decided to withdraw clearances for Chinese editors who were coming to Delhi this week for a media exchange. The government took such a step after Chinese PLA pitched seven tents well within the Indian territory and they are showing any signs of withdrawing from Indian land.According to official sources, the Chinese who had arrived in vehicles on Sunday in Chumar, 300 km from Leh, started erecting the tents in the Indian territory despite repeated warnings by the Army.Nearly 100 personnel of the PLA strength was estimated around Point 30R, a strategically important post, as it helps India to keep a vigil deep inside the occupied territory of Chinese, they pointed out.In fact, the Indian side is opposing to the stay of about 35-odd personnel who were already camping at a hillock in the Chumar area, the sources added.

The Chinese soldiers were demanding that Indian army should withdraw simultaneously from the area but the army had decided to dig in its heels. The Chinese soldiers had retreated to their territory on Thursday night.The Point 30R post has been frequented by PLA often as Indian Army has kept an observation post which dominates the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and gives advantage to India in keeping a vigil on the Chinese activity deep across the border.Chinese helicopters were again seen in action for dropping food packets for its soldiers but none of them violated the air space. The food packets were later collected by the PLA personnel and stored inside the tents.The tension further escalated when some of the Chinese workers, who were engaged in road construction, started entering into the Indian side, the sources said.The Indian Army asked the Chinese workers to leave, telling them that otherwise they would face prosecution under Indian laws for entering the country illegally