No Chinese troops deployed, status quo prevails at Doklam face-off site: MEA clarifies

NewsBharati    28-Oct-2017
Total Views |

New Delhi, October 28: India has reiterated that there is no new development at the face-off site at Doklam and its vicinity since disengagement of August 28th. Government said that the status quo prevails in Doklam and any suggestion to the contrary is incorrect.

Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "I would like to reiterate that there are no new developments at the face if site, and its vicinity since August 28 disengagement.” 

“The status quo prevails in this area, any suggestion to the contrary is incorrect and mischievous." He was asked about a media report about China ramping up its military presence in areas close to Doklam.

On the just concluded Communist Party Congress in China, Kumar said, Prime Minister had sent his best wishes to President Xi Jinping for the success of the Congress before it met and subsequently congratulated him on his re-election as the General Secretary of the Communist Party.

“He hoped that the direction and the policy set by the Congress will further promote the bilateral relations and contribute to peace and stability in the region,” Kumar added.

Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day-long standoff in Doklam since 16 June after the Indian side stopped the building of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The MEA on 28 August had announced that both sides were disengaging from the face-off site.

The Doklam standoff has certainly restricted and dented China’s image as a Bully, an expansionist who cannot be challenged nor controlled. Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Doklam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.

China has blamed India for the whole mess accusing Indian troops to illegally crossing the Sino-Indian Seychelles section and bounded into China's Donglang area on June 18.

Bhutan and China have a dispute over Doklam. 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.