US concerned by China's ongoing attempts to intimidate neighbors
What's the story
In its first response to the China-India border standoff, the Biden administration has voiced concern over Beijing's ongoing attempts to intimidate its neighbors and said it was closely monitoring the situation.
A top official of the new Biden administration also asserted that the US will stand with its allies to advance its shared values in the strategically-vital Indo-Pacific region.
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US supports a peaceful resolution of the dispute
"We are closely monitoring the situation. We note the ongoing talks between the governments of India and China and continue to support a direct dialogue and a peaceful resolution to border disputes," said Emily Horne, spokesperson, National Security Council (NSC) of the White House.
White House's statement
We stand with friends and allies to advance security: Horne
Responding to a question on recent Chinese attempts to intrude into Indian territories, Horne said, "The United States is concerned by Beijing's pattern of ongoing attempts to intimidate its neighbors. We will stand with friends, partners, and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values in the Indo-Pacific region."
This is the first response of the Biden administration on the India-China border clashes.
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Indo-China talks over the Ladakh standoff have lead nowhere
China and India are locked in a military standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 5 last year. The two countries have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks to resolve the face-off, but no significant headway has been made so far.
China's military prowess
China has also militarized man-made islands
The evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific region in wake of China's increasing military muscle-flexing has become a major talking point. The US has been favoring making Quad a security architecture to check China's growing assertiveness.
Notably, China is engaged in territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas. Beijing has also made substantial progress in militarizing man-made islands in the past few years.
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Why are South China Sea and East China Sea important?
Beijing claims sovereignty over the South China Sea. But Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, and Taiwan have counterclaims. In the East China Sea, China has territorial disputes with Japan. Both the areas are rich in minerals and oil. They are also vital to global trade.
Further details
US has deployed warships in South China Sea
Although the US lays no claims to the disputed waters, it has challenged China's growing territorial claims in the South China Sea by deploying warships and fighter jets to assert freedom of navigation and overflight patrols.
Back home, President Ram Nath Kovind last week said India had strengthened its military presence at the Line of Actual Control along the countries' shared border.
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India is a vigilant nation: President Kovind
"My government is fully committed to the protection of the interests of the nation and is also vigilant. Additional forces have been deployed to protect India's sovereignty over the LAC," President Kovind said while addressing a joint session of the Parliament.