Sikkim dispute can hit boundary talks: China

BEIJING: China on Wednesday said Indian troops were “still standing in Chinese territory” at Donglang, hinting that the standoff near the Sikkim border could affect the bilateral mechanism to address the long-standing boundary dispute.

The foreign ministry said the “trespass” by Indian troops violated the “spirit” of talks by the Special Representatives on the border issue.

It also said the current face-off could be resolved only by Indian troops returning to their original positions.

The ministry added that India had “trampled” on the Panchsheel pact or the “five principles of peaceful existence” by allegedly entering Chinese territory. China also said India was “misleading” its citizens by saying Doklam or Donglang is located at the tri-junction of India, Bhutan and China.

“The Indian border troops are still standing in Chinese territory and the issue is not resolved,” foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang.

India and China have held 19 rounds of talks under the Special Representatives mechanism since 2003.

But after days of shrill rhetoric since the standoff began three weeks ago, there was also a conciliatory move by the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, which said Beijing is willing to discuss the possibility of “alternative arrangements through other routes” for Indian pilgrims who had planned to visit Kailash Manasrovar via Nathu La.

The yatra to Kailash Manasrovar is an “important part of China-India people-to-people and cultural exchanges” and Beijing respects the Indian people’s religious sentiments, embassy spokesperson Xie Liyan said.