Withdraw troops for talks: China Yatra through Nathu La pass cancelled

China on Friday said the diplomatic channels with India are “unimpeded” for talks over the stand-off in the Sikkim sector but for any “meaningful dialogue” the Indian troops must withdraw from the Doklam area over which Beijing has “indisputable sovereignty”.

“The diplomatic channels for the communication between Chinese and Indian sides remained unimpeded,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a media briefing here.

He said Indian troops “trespassed” the recognised delineated boundary between China and India on June 18. This is the first time China came out with precise date about Indian troops entering disputed Doklam area (referred by China as Donglong) near Sikkim allegedly to stop Chinese troops from making a road.

“So the most pressing issue

should be the withdrawal of troops into the Indian territory. So it is the pre-condition for any meaningful dialogue,” he said when asked whether any talks were going on between the two countries over the issue.

He said in additions to the photographs of alleged Indian “incursion” into Donglong area, the Chinese foreign ministry will upload a map on its website to provide a “better

understanding of the reality”.

He also refuted Bhutan’s allegation that Chinese troops’ attempts to build the road violated the 1988 and 1999 agreements to maintain peace and tranquilly. Lu said China has “indisputable sovereignty over the Donklam area”.

He claimed that the Doklam area was under Chinese administration from emperor Qing dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China. The Kailash Mansarovar yatra through Nathu La in Sikkim has been cancelled, an official said on Friday.

The decision comes in the wake of the face-off between Indian and Chinese troops over a disputed area called Doklam along the Sino-Indian border near Sikkim.

The move will come as a disappointment to the 800 devotees hoping to visit the high-altitude area, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, following an arduous trek along the Nathu La route. Though the Kailash Mansarovar yatra through Nathu La in Sikkim will not take place this year, the pilgrimage through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand will continue as scheduled.