China will make a positive move, says Rajnath Singh on Doklam standoff

A solution to the "deadlock" at Dokalam between India and China would be found soon, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said as he made it clear that the country was well equipped to protect its sovereignty.

The minister, while speaking at an event of the India-Sino border guarding force ITBP here, said he hoped that China would make a positive move to resolve the issue. "There is a deadlock going on at Dokalam between India and China. I believe there will be a solution soon. I hope China will undertake a positive initiative (to resolve the stand-off)," he said.

He also conveyed a message to all neighbouring countries that India wants peace. ''I want to convey a message to all neighbouring countries that India wants peace,'' Singh said.

Both Indian Army and China's People Liberation Army have been engaged in a confrontational standoff at the Doklam tri-junction between India, China and Bhutan after Indian Army soldiers stopped PLA from constructing a road in the area.

India has increased the strength of its troops with an increased deployment on Sikkim-Arunachal border since the face off began on June 16.

China had been ramping up rhetoric against India over the last few weeks demanding immediate withdrawal of Indian troops from Dokalam. The Chinese state media, particularly, had carried a barrage of critical articles on the Dokalam stand- off slamming India.

The minister, in the same breath, lauded the bravery and grit of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), saying it was due to their prowess on the border that "no one can dare cast an evil eye on India". The ITBP is tasked to guard the 3,488-km long Sino-India border and works under the command of the home ministry.

The minister went on to say that India had always believed in having good relations with its neighbours and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his swearing-in ceremony in 2014, had invited all the premiers of the neighbouring countries. This move was not just to shake and join hands but to bring together hearts, he said. "India has taken the initiative (of friendship with neighbours) many times. Our former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to say friends can change but not neighbours.

He said we should have good relations with our neighbours. "Hence, I want to give this message to all our neighbours that we don't want struggle but peace," Singh said.

OneIndia News