Govt: Haven’t reduced troops in Doklam area

NEW DELHI/BEIJING: India on Wednesday rejected China’s claim that the number of troops engaged in the Doklam standoff had fallen and insisted that peace and tranquil li ty at the border are an “important requisite” for smooth development of ties.

China’s foreign ministry issued a 15- page statement which said Indian troop numbers in the Donglang or Doklam region had fallen from a peak of more than 400 to about 40 at the end of July. The statement also floated the idea that Delhi and Beijing should sign a new boundary convention to replace the 1890“Convention between Great Britain and China Relating to Sikkim and Tibet” that is said to have demarcated the Sikkim boundary.

Hours after China pointed to the thinning out of troops, Indian government sources said there had been no withdrawal of Indian forces and the position on the ground remained unchanged.

“Neither has the Indian Army pulled back any troops nor has the force observed any withdrawal by the Chinese side. The status remains the same,” a source said.