China to “prevent swine fever” will ban pork imports from India.

The move comes during a border stand-off between the Indian and Chinese armies, indicating all’s not well. 

On Friday, China announced that it will ban imports of pigs, wild boar and other related products from India, citing concerns regarding African Swine Fever (ASF). In a joint notice issued by Ministry of Agricultural & Rural Affairs and General Administration of Customs of China, revealed by Chinese state media, Global Times quoted, “So as to prevent swine fever China will have to ban imports of pigs, wild boar and related products from India.”

The decision comes in the wake of Indo-China border tension:

This decision comes in the middle of a border crisis between the two nations clearly indicating all is not well. Currently, Indian and Chinese armies are locked in a crucial stand-off and diplomatic talks between the two nations have begun. A Global Times report said, “the ban comes after tensions flared up in the Galwan Valley region between the two nations.” The report then blamed India saying, “India’s recent, illegal construction of defence facilities on the border to Chinese territory has led to the confrontation along the Indo-China borders.”

Also, earlier this month, India reported its first case of ASF (African Swine Fever) in Assam, in both the wild boars and domestic pigs, killing over 14,000 pigs in the eastern state of Assam. 

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava on Thursday revealed that diplomatic talks were started with the Chinese side and that India is committed to resolve the border issue peacefully.

These remarks come a day after the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry’s spokesman said that China and India must use consultation and dialogue so as to resolve the border crisis and that the two countries don’t pose a threat to each other.