Doklam stand-off: India shouldn't stick to its errors stubbornly, says Chinese media

The standoff between Indian and Chinese armies have continued for close to five-weeks over the construction of a road by China at Doklam near Sikkim.

Asserting that turning a deaf ear to Beijing will worsen the stand-off at Doklam, a Chinese media report has said it is expecting India to abide by the basic principles of international law and that New Delhi should not 'stick to its errors stubbornly'.

The standoff between Indian and Chinese armies have continued for close to five-weeks over the construction of a road by China at Doklam near Sikkim. It is an area where the borders of India, China and Bhutan meet. Bhutan says the land, which it calls Doklam, belongs to its kingdom and not to China, a claim that India agrees too.

India has also said that the road was a serious security concern as it it gives Beijing access to the so-called Chicken's Neck, a thin strip of land that links India with its seven north eastern states.

"In June, Indian troops brazenly crossed into the Chinese territory in Doklam, stayed there and obstructed China from building a road there. Many arguments and protests from China have failed to bring India back to reason," the article published in China's Xinhua news said.

The article also warned India to change its mind before things become worse, adding that there is no room for negotiations on this incident.

It also said that some "Indian civil groups" have been fuelling anti-China sentiments, which according to the article, would not help the situation get any better.

The report published in Xinhua also called Foreign Secretary Subramaniam Jaishankar's remark that "India and China should not let differences become disputes" as positive.

Jaishankar had, in Singapore on July 11, said said Beijing-New Delhi relations will have a direct impact not only on ASEAN but also globally. He had said that there is an inherent complexity in the India-China realtions as two superpowers are rising almost simultaneously and that too in close proximity.

"At a time of global uncertainty, India China relations are factor of stability and in their relationship India and China must not allow differences to become disputes," the Foreign Secretary had said on July 11.

The Chinese media said that Beijing has a will to solve the problem peacefully by diplomatic means, adding that it "cherishes the peace and serenity in the border areas".

It further said that it is expected of India to "abide by the basic principles of international law" and "not stick to its errors stubbornly".

OneIndia News