India trespassed, we are within our sovereign rights in Dokalam, says Chinese Embassy

The Political Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in India, Li Ya, on Thursday said that Chinese activities in Dokalam is within its sovereignty and it is Indian side which has trespassed into Chinese territory.

“China's activities in Dokalam within its sovereignty. Indian side trespassed into Chinese territory and changed status quo,” said Li Ya.

Li said that India crossed delimited boundary into other country’s territory in name of security concerns, which won't be acceptable to sovereign state

“As far as solution is concerned Indian troops must pull back to Indian side of the boundary unconditionally and immediately. This is the precondition for any meaningful dialogue between China and India,” said Li Ya.

Earlier on Wednesday, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said that the border standoff between Indian and Chinese armies at the Sikkim sector can be resolved diplomatically and Chinese soldiers should leave the Bhutanese territory to reduce tension in the area.

“I think the issue can be resolved at the diplomatic level. The Chinese troops should stay where they were earlier.  China is approaching towards Bhutanese territory. We want them not to come forward,” Bhamre said.

“This is our security concern and this is our stand.  Bhutan’s King had yesterday given a statement that Chinese (troops) are entering into its territory. This tension can be resolved at the diplomatic level. Across the table we can solve all the problems,” he further added.

For the past 19 days, China and India have been betrothed in a standoff in the Dokalam area near the Bhutan trijunction. The standoff began after a Chinese army’s construction party came to build a road.

Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region. China and Bhutan are engaged in talks over the resolution of the area. Bhutan, however, has no diplomatic ties with China and it is supported militarily and diplomatically by India.

On the standoff, the Ministry of External Affairs had said India was “deeply concerned at the recent Chinese actions and has conveyed to the Chinese government that such construction would represent a significant change of status quo with serious security implications for India”.

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