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Doklam Dispute: Sushma Swaraj ‘Lied’ to Parliament on Support From ‘All Nations’, Says Chinese Media
"First, India’s invasion of Chinese territory is a plain fact. New Delhi’s impetuous action stuns the international community. No other country will support India’s aggression," the state-run tabloid Global Times states.
New Delhi, July 21: A day after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addressed the Parliament on the standoff between Indian and Chinese forces near Doklam plateau, China’s state-run media launched a rebuttal. The Global Times, considered as the mouthpiece of the Chinese government, said Swaraj ‘lied’ before the Parliament.
“She was lying to the parliament,” the nationalistic tabloid stated, referring to Swaraj’s claim of “all countries backing India” over the controversy in Doklam. “First, India’s invasion of Chinese territory is a plain fact. New Delhi’s impetuous action stuns the international community. No other country will support India’s aggression,” it said.
The article also dismissed the claim made by Swaraj that Indian forces are prepared to counter all forms of Chinese threat. Calling the comparison between Indian and Chinese forces as ‘comical’, it added, “India’s military strength is far behind that of China. If the conflict between China and India escalates to the intensity where their row has to be resolved through military means, India will surely lose.” ALSO READ: China Launches Diplomatic Offensive Against India, Warns Border Dispute Could Turn Into Full-Blown War
Swaraj, while addressing the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, accused Beijing of attempting to alter the status quo in Doklam. “If China unilaterally changes status quo of tri-junction point between China, India and Bhutan, then it poses a challenge to our security,” she said, further adding that Indian Army is “equipped to counter” all forms of aggression by the Chinese forces.
The Chinese daily recommended Swaraj to analyse the military expenditure between the two countries to gauge each other’s strength. “China’s military spending is four times that of India where its GDP volume is five times that of India. The great gap will shape the actual pattern of power balance between the two countries at the border,” it added.
The commentary further recalled the 1962 war, when Indian forces were defeated by the Chinese counterparts. “Back in 1962, India underestimated China’s resolution to safeguard its territory. We hope India won’t repeat this mistake.”
The standoff at Doklam erupted in mid-June, after Indian troops prevented a road construction party of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from entering the disputed tri juncture with Bhutan. Subsequently, the Indian and Chinese forces were locked in a standoff, which now continues for more than a month.
“China cannot afford to ‘lose an inch’ of territory. This is the sacred wish and request of the Chinese people,” the Global Times said, reiterating that Doklam remains a part of the Autonomous Region of Tibet, which lies under the jurisdiction of Beijing.
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