Commenting on military standoff, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman urges India to 'correct its mistake'
The Indian Army is in a standoff with the PLA at Doka La inâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Sikkim. Pic for representation
ADVERTISEMENT
China said yesterday that it will safeguard its security interests at "any cost" as its sovereignty was "indomitable", amid a standoff with India in the Sikkim sector.
Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian made this assertion ahead of this week's National Security Advisors' (NSA) talks to resolve the standoff.
Maintaining China's hardline stance on the issue, Wu told a media briefing that the willingness and resolve of China to defend its sovereignty was "indomitable".
"China will safeguard its security interests at any cost. India should not leave things to luck and not harbour any unrealistic illusions," he said ahead of the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Commenting on the over month-long military standoff between the troops of the two countries at Doka La area in the Sikkim section, Wu urged India to "correct its mistake".
Stating that the PLA has taken emergency measures in the region and continues to increase focused deployments and drills, he said, "We strongly urge India to take practical steps to correct its mistake, cease provocations, and meet China halfway in jointly safeguarding the border region's peace and tranquillity."
China hints at bilateral meet
China yesterday hinted that a bilateral meeting between State Councillor Yang Jiechi and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval could take place on the sidelines of a BRICS NSAs' meet at Beijing this week.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang, during a briefing, left the door open for talks between Doval and Yang by saying that he cannot confirm it but in the past meetings of BRICS NSAs, the officials have held bilateral meetings.
"I don't have relevant information you mentioned right now. As far as we know during the previous meetings the host countries arranged for the heads of the delegations to hold bilateral meetings in which they exchanged views on bilateral relations, BRICS cooperation and multilateral affairs," Lu said.
Doval is set to travel to Beijing this week to attend the BRICS NSAs meeting scheduled to be held from July 27-28. Doval and Yang are Special Representatives of the two countries in the boundary talks.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
