China’s aggression in Ladakh indicative of its intentions: Pompeo

TIL Desk/World/Washington/ China’s recent aggression in India’s eastern Ladakh and claims for the real estate in Bhutan are indicative of its intentions, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said, asserting that Beijing under President Xi Jinping is testing the world to see if anyone is going to stand up to its threats and bullying.

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a bitter standoff in several areas along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh since May 5. The situation deteriorated last month following the Galwan Valley clashes in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed. China recently staked claim over the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan at the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council and opposed funding to the project.

 Pompeo, during a Congressional hearing on Thursday, told the members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee that ‘the actions are entirely consistent with what they have been signalling to the world for decades you might even argue since 1989, but certainly since General Secretary Xi came to power’. The Secretary of State said China has the desire to expand its power and reach.