US urges status quo at key tri-junction

WASHINGTON: Hopeful that India and China can negotiate a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Doklam standoff, a senior Trump official has said the US “supports return of status quo” of the tri-junction point.

The US is concerned about “sovereignty issues and adherence to international law” amid increased tension between the two Asian giants, said a senior administration official.

“We are monitoring the (Doklam) situation very carefully. We are concerned. We hope that the two sides can negotiate a peaceful resolution to the issue. We support return to the status quo,” the official told PTI.

“We’re also concerned about Bhutanese sovereignty issues. We’re concerned in general terms about sovereignty issues and adherence to international law. I think that certainly pertains to this particular issue,” said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity, given the sensitive nature of confrontation between India and China.

Even as China — both its officials and the state- sponsored media — has increased its rhetoric over the past few months, which at times is seen as entering the domain of threatening; New Delhi, which has taken a mature and strong stand against Beijing, according to experts, is believed has not reached out to Washington on this issue.

However, the US has been closely monitoring the situation.

THE US IS CONCERNED ABOUT ‘SOVEREIGNTY ISSUES AND ADHERENCE TO INTERNATIONAL LAW’ AMID INCREASED TENSION BETWEEN THE TWO ASIAN GIANTS