China’s behaviour disturbing: US on India border row

WASHINGTON: A senior US diplomat on Wednesday sided with India on recent clashes on the border with China and said they were a reflection of a pattern of “provocations and disturbing behaviour” by China and a reminder of the threat it posed to the international order.

Alice Wells, the outgoing head of the state department’s South and Central Asia bureau, also said, addressing reporters, it was for India to decide on whether or not it wants to open talks with the Taliban, contrary to Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad’s recent suggestion that it should, but it may not have a choice if the Taliban are a part of the political governing structure that is being sought through the peace talks.

The recent border flare-ups are a “reminder that Chinese aggression is not always just rhetorical”, Wells said in response to questions.

Whether it is on the South China Sea or along the border with India, “we continue to see provocations and disturbing behaviour by China that raises questions about how China wants to use its rising power”, she said.

That’s why, she added, “you see a a rallying of like-minded nations” whether through Asean and US cooperation with Japan and India in the trilateral dialogue and the Quad with Japan, India and Australia, on how to “reinforce the principles of the post-World War II order”.

The border clashes were a reminder, Wells said, of “the threat posed by China”.