Amid Standoff at Doklam, NSA Ajit Doval to Visit China on July 27-28 for BRICS Session, Confirms MEA

On the standoff at Sikkim border, MEA said India is committed to resolve the issue through diplomatic and peaceful methods.

Updated: July 20, 2017 4:18 PM IST

By Mohammed Uzair Shaikh

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval - File Photo

New Delhi, July 20: Despite escalating Sino-Indian border tensions near Sikkim, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval would be visiting China for the BRICS’ NSA meet, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed. The two-day session, to be held on July 27-28, would be hosted by Doval’s chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi in Beijing.

“Our NSA would be travelling to Beijing to attend the BRICS Session on July 28 and 29,” MEA spokesperson Gopal Bagley said, further adding that New Delhi does not want to deteriorate the bilateral relations due to the controversy in Doklam.

Reiterating India’s stance to peacefully resolve the dispute, Bagley added, “There are differences between India and China on issues related to the border. The differences between us should not become disputes. Our approach is to find solution to the border issues.” ALSO READ: Sushma Swaraj Briefs Rajya Sabha on Standoff at Sikkim Border

Bagley said Indian government would use diplomatic channels to resolve the standoff in Sikkim. “All diplomatic channels are open. The issue would be resolved through diplomatic and peaceful means,” he stated.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told the Parliament that Indian Army is capable of retaliating to all forms of aggression by China. “The row in Doklam erupted after China attempted to alter the status quo in the region,” she said in the Rajya Sabha.

“If China, unilaterally changes the status quo of the tri-junction point, it is a straight challenge to our security,” Swaraj added.

Addressing the concern raised by some quarters of India meddling into the bilateral dispute between China and Bhutan, Swaraj said, “As long as it was between China and Bhutan, we had nothing to do with it. But since this deals with the tri-junction point, it affects our security position.”

Beijing, ever since the stand-off erupted at Doklam plateau, scaled up its rhetoric against India, warning New Delhi of ‘1962-like consequences’. The most latest salvo came from China’s mouthpiece, The Global Times, which warned India “of being embarrassed” if its troops were not withdrawn from the region.

However, Sushma said the precondition imposed by China applies on either sides. “If they want our troops to be retracted, then they should also call their forces back,” she said.

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