Pentagon urges India and China to defuse border row via direct dialogue

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has encouraged India and China to engage in a direct dialogue free of any “coercive aspects”.

“We encourage India and China to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions and free of any coercive aspects,” Gary Ross, a defence department spokesman, told PTI.

Over the past week, the US State Department too has been making similar statements, but the Pentagon has sought direct dialogue between India and China for reducing tension “free of any coercive aspects”.

Notably, in recent past few years, almost all the Chinese neighbours have been accusing Beijing of coercive tactics to settle border disputes. The monthlong India-China border standoff in the Sikkim sector is seen as part of the same Chinese coercive tactics to change the status quo. India has taken a strong stand against the Chinese move.

National security adviser Ajit Doval heads to Beijing to attend a meeting of BRICS later this month. During his visit, Doval is expected to talk with his Chinese counterpart on this issue.

Responding to questions, the Pentagon refused to take sides on the issue. “We refer you to the governments of India and China for further information,” Ross said. “We encourage India and China to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions.

We are not going to speculate on such matters,” the defence department spokesman said when asked if the Pentagon fears escalation of tension between India and China.

Early this week, a top Pentagon commander told lawmakers that China is exploiting its economic leverage as a way to its regional political objectives.