‘We’ve seen…’: MEA reacts to Chinese PLA’s confrontation with Ladakhi nomads on Indian soil

India on Thursday reacted to a video of a group of Ladakh shepherds bravely resisting Chinese soldiers who tried to stop them from grazing near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said India had seen the video and that both India and China had “established mechanisms” to deal with such disputes.

“We have seen the video. The relevant agencies are able to answer this question. Both countries have a good understanding of their traditional pastoral areas. Any squabbles, disputes or disputes will be handled in accordance with the established mechanisms,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jas Randhir Jaiswal said in the briefing.

He also asked the media to seek additional information about the case from the Department of Defense, which is investigating the matter.

Leh Chushul municipal councilor Konjok Stanzin on Tuesday claimed that People’s Liberation Army soldiers were fighting Ladakhi nomads and preventing them from grazing in Indian territory.

Stanzin also shared a video purportedly showing Chinese soldiers on PLA armored vehicles talking to nomads, who can be heard arguing in Tibetan that they have been grazing in that area for a long time.

According to defense sources, the video is about an incident that took place in the first week of January, in which nomadic herdsmen (with livestock) from the Indian side were seen talking to PLA soldiers.

The ministry added that such incidents are common and happen on both sides whenever herders stray into the LAC due to different views on the LAC. “Such incidents will be properly handled in accordance with established mechanisms,” the source added.