Diplomatic channels ‘unimpeded’ to resolve standoff, asserts China

China said on Thursday that diplomatic channels with India remained “unimpeded” to discuss the military standoff in Sikkim sector but reiterated that the withdrawal of the Indian troops from Doklam area is a “precondition” for any meaningful dialogue.

“Our diplomatic channel is unimpeded,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters, confirming talks between Indian and Chinese missions to resolve the standoff.

Lu, however, reiterated that “the withdrawal of the Indian border personnel is the precondition for any meaningful dialogue and communication between the two countries”.

In New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the matter can be resolved through talks.

“We are willing to talk, but both sides have to first take back their armies,” she told the Rajya Sabha.

The minister said the boundaries between India and China are yet to be finalised and the two countries will do that bilaterally through discussions, while the same between China and Bhutan too will be done through bilateral talks. She accused China of building roads using bulldozers and excavators, which has been protested by Bhutan in writing to China.

Chinese and Indian soldiers have been locked in a face- off for over a month after Indian troops stopped the Chinese army from constructing a road near the Doklam plateau, fearing it may allow China to cut India’s access to its northeastern states.

India has conveyed to China that the construction of the road would represent a significant change of status quo with serious security implications for New Delhi.

India and China share a 220-km-long border in Sikkim.

Lu claimed that the incident makes it clear that “Indian border personnel illegally trespassed into China’s territory.”