CHINA TO INDIA: CORRECT YOUR ERRORS

While virtually accusing India of having a “hidden agenda” in the current military stand-off with it in the Sikkim sector, where Beijing has a territorial dispute with Bhutan, China on Wednesday also warned that future visits of pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar through the Nathu La pass will depend on whether India will “correct its errors”.

Beijing also termed the construction of a road in the Sikkim sector of the Sino-India border as “legitimate”, asserting that it was being built on Chinese territory that neither belongs to India nor Bhutan.

“Donglang is part of China’s territory. This is indisputable… it doesn’t belong to Bhutan,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told the media here.

“India wants to raise an issue with this part. I should say it doesn’t belong to Bhutan, nor it belongs to India... Chinese construction of the road

project is legitimate… No other country has the right to interfere,” he said, while replying to a question.

Mr Lu defended China’s decision to shut the Nathu La pass in Sikkim for Indian pilgrims, saying that China had agreed to open the route as the boundary there has been delineated with the consent of both the countries.

“For a long time, in the interest of India-China relations, China provided great conveniences to the Indian pilgrims. Based on consensus between the two countries’ leaders, and on the fact that the Sikkim sector boundary is delineated and recognised by two countries, the Chinese side in 2015 opened the Nathu La pass for Indian pilgrims,” he said.

For two years it worked well and in fact this year also the Chinese authorities had prepared for the reception of Indian pilgrims and informed the Indian side about it, Mr Lu said.

“Now the suspension of the same is an emergency response to the situation there. I want to stress that the resumption of pilgrims pass requires necessary atmosphere and conditions. So the liability of the same totally lies with the Indian side and when it will be reopened depends on when or whether the Indian side will correct its errors,” he said.

China also hinted that India was objecting to its efforts to build the road in Donglang area of the Sikkim sector on behalf of Bhutan, which does not have any diplomatic ties with Beijing.

“Hope countries can respect the sovereignty of the country. The ChinaBhutan boundary is not delineated, no third party should interfere in this matter and make irresponsible remarks or actions,” Mr Lu said.

“If any third party, out of hidden agenda, interferes, it is disrespect of the sovereignty of Bhutan. We don’t want to see this as Bhutan is a country entitled to sovereignty by the international community,” Mr Lu said.

Donglang is located in a tri-junction close to the strategic area called Chicken’s Neck.

Asked whether there was any progress in the talks between India and Chinese officials over the border standoff, Mr Lu said, “The Indian troops crossed the boundary at the Sikkim side to the Chinese territory.”

“This is different to what was before in India-China boundary. China has made solemn representations against the same. India should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China,” he said.