China ‘unusually aggressive’ over Sikkim standoff, says Jaishankar | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

China ‘unusually aggressive’ over Sikkim standoff, says Jaishankar

Hindustan Times, New Delhi/Beijing | ByJayanth Jacob and Sutirtho Patranobis
Jul 19, 2017 11:18 AM IST

Jaishankar told parliamentary panel that China’s aggression and rhetoric on the Sikkim standoff is unusual but it is not that complicated as it is being projected in some quarters.

China has been unusually aggressive in the standoff with India near the Sikkim border but the two sides are trying to find a solution through diplomatic channels, the government said on Tuesday, hours after Beijing issued a fresh warning to New Delhi.

Foreign secretary S Jaishankar during a press conference.(ANI File Photo)
Foreign secretary S Jaishankar during a press conference.(ANI File Photo)

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a face-off in the Donglang or Doklam region at the tri-junction of the boundaries of India, Bhutan and China since June 16. India has said its troops acted in coordination with the Bhutan government to oppose the construction of a road by Chinese troops in the strategic region.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

On Tuesday, foreign secretary S Jaishankar briefed the parliamentary standing committee on external affairs headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. The panel’s members, including Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, posed a series of questions to him pertaining to stand-off.

The foreign secretary referred to the issue as a “standoff” and an “incident”, playing down what he said was ‘media hype’, according to sources who were part of the meeting.

While admitting that Beijing was more aggressive than it usually is in such incidents, the top diplomat told the MPs that two countries have put in place mechanisms such as flag meetings and special representative meetings to address issues along the border.

“He explained to the members said India has an understanding with Bhutan which was the reason why the Indian army got involved in the India-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction in the Sikkim sector after its help was sought when Chinese troops were found building a road in the tri-junction,” a committee member said, requesting anonymity because of the confidential nature of the meeting.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi asked if the face-off was a Chinese tactic to send a message that India would not be able to fulfil its obligations to Bhutan. Jaishankar, sources said, responded by saying that India factors in “sensitivities” of Bhutan and Thimphu had lodged a diplomatic protest with China.

Gandhi also wanted to know why India’s traditional friends such as Iran are not making supportive statements on Kashmir, another member said.

Similar concerns were raised by others members, which included CPI(M) leader Md Salim and Trinamool Congress’s Sugata Bose. They asked Jaishankar why Beijing seemed to be consistently winning over India’s other neighbours and how — despite the apparent bonhomie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping — ties were not improving.

The Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday continued its criticism of India over the face-off, saying New Delhi should withdraw troops from Doklam to prevent any escalation and not adopt “illegal trespass” as a policy to achieve political targets.

“The illegal trespass by the Indian border personnel has drawn extensive attention from the international community and many foreign diplomatic missions in China said they were shocked by this,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang told a regular news briefing.

“We also stressed that the facts are very clear in this incident. The Sikkim section in the China-India boundary is mutually recognised by the two sides. This time, the Indian border personnel illegally trespassed into Chinese territory,” he said.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On