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When China got epic reply from Vajpayee for accusing Indian troops of stealing 800 sheep

India and China have been constantly at the loggerheads even today, but it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a member of Parliament, who fumed Beijing with his epic reply during a similar border dispute over Sikkim in 1967.

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India and China areconstantly at the loggerheads even today, but it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a member of Parliament, who fumed Beijing with his epic reply during a similar border dispute over Sikkim in 1967.

According to reports, China had accused India of stealing a flock of 800 sheep and 49 yaks, from a Tibetan herdsman near the Sikkim border.

Exchanges between the two governments dating back to 1965 reveal that China accused Indian troops of stealing the flock of animals from Tibetan herdsmen operating near the Sikkim border and demanded that animals be returned. 

The 1967 conflict took place in the same area where border troops from both countries are currently locked in a standoff.

However, to counter China's claim, Vajpayee drove a herd of sheep to the Chinese Embassy.

"One account suggests that to protest China's actions then in Sikkim, which reportedly included a Chinese complaint of a herd of sheep being stolen, a 43-year-old Member of Parliament by the name of Atal Bihari Vajpayee drove a herd of sheep to the Chinese Embassy in Shantipath in New Delhi to stage a rather colourful protest," reported India Today.

According to another report, even though the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India responded to the plaint saying that India knew nothing about the missing yaks and sheep, in a complain to the Embassy of India in China, the ministry of foreign affairs described the protesters as 'a mob of Indian hooligans'

“This ugly farce was wholly instigated and staged by the Indian Government. The Chinese Government hereby lodges a strong protest with the Indian Government,” the Chinese note said. Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders who led the nation through several crises while holding together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics and superlative oratory, died on Thursday. He was 93.

Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya. He will be cremated today in New Delhi. A seven-day state mourning has been announced by the Centre as a mark of respect to the former prime minister who died away after prolonged illness. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout the country.

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