Resolution to condemn Chinese aggression against India introduced in US Senate

On Thursday, a bipartisan group of 2 powerful American senators introduced a resolution in the Senate condemning China's aggression towards India to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control between the 2 Asian giants.

The resolution by Senator John Cornyn, who is the Republican Senate Majority Whip, & Senator Mark Warner, who is ranking member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, follows instances of Chinese military forces harassing Indian patrols as well as increased troop deployments & infrastructure construction in contested areas. Cornyn & Warner are Co-Chairs of the Senate India Caucus.

Cornyn said that "As a co-founder of the Senate India Caucus, I know firsthand the importance of a strong relationship between the United States & India".

"I commend India's commitment to standing up to China & maintaining a free & open Indo-Pacific. It is more important than ever that we support our Indian partners as they defend against Chinese aggression."

Indian & Chinese troops have been locked in a bitter standoff in several areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh since May 5. The situation deteriorated after the June 15 Galwan Valley clashes in which twenty Indian Army personnel were killed & an unconfirmed number of Chinese soldiers died.

Senator Mark Warner said that "The June 15 conflict between China & India, resulting in the deaths of approximately 20 Indian soldiers, should set off alarm bells regarding the People's Republic of China's provocative actions in disputed territory".

"This resolution condemns PRC's actions to change the Line of Actual Control, especially in the midst of diplomatic negotiations between the two countries; & encourages the two nations to find a diplomatic resolution that restores the April 2020 status quo at the LAC," Warner said.

The US has long enjoyed a partnership with India strengthened by shared democratic values, it said.

"That partnership only becomes more important as we work to ensure a free & open Indo-Pacific," Warner said.

In a joint press statement, the Senators said that the deadly conflict broke out on June 15, 2020, on the China-India border following weeks of minor military confrontations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that separates the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) & the Indian regions of Ladakh & Sikkim. 

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