Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang says the current face-off was different from the past.

China on Wednesday said the stand-off between its troops and Indian Army men in the Doklam area could be ended at an early date if Indian forces withdrew to what it called the “Indian side of the boundary”.

Adopting a less harsh tone than in the recent past, when it had characterised India’s alleged intrusion into its territory as a “betrayal” and insisted that the withdrawal of Indian forces was a “precondition” for talks, the Chinese foreign ministry on Wednesday said: “We once again require India to withdraw the border troops to the Indian side of the boundary and properly settle this dispute at an early date.”

Responding to remarks made by former National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon in an interview with The Hindu, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said the current face-off was different from the past.

“China has pointed out many times the illegal trespass of Indian border troops of the mutually recognised border line into China’s territory. This is different in nature from the frictions that happened in the undefined sections of the boundary. The Sikkim section has special historical background and this is the only defined boundary between China and India. And this is different from the undefined boundary in the east, middle, and west,” he said.

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“According to the 1890 convention, the boundary has been defined and both Chinese and Indian governments have recognised this. And this convention is effective for both countries.”

The stand-off is happening near the western tri-junction of India, Bhutan and China.

“The Sikkim tri-junction is basically the watershed between the Amo [also called the Torsa river] and the Teesta rivers in the Chumbi Valley, so it is clear, and parts of it have been settled. Since 1960, when this was discussed, both sides have constantly said that this boundary is not such a problem. But the tri-junction remained to be settled, and that is a part of the issue,” Mr. Menon said.

Separately, asked to comment on whether China was ready to engage in the resolution of the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, in the wake of the recent exchange of fire across the Line of Control (LoC), Mr. Geng said: “China is willing to play a constructive role in improving relations between India and Pakistan.”

Kashmir issue

Significantly, he also highlighted the Kashmir dispute outside its bilateral context, by pointing out that it had attracted the attention of the “international community”. Besides, Mr. Geng flagged the exchange of fire across the LoC as a factor undermining “regional stability.”

“Both India and Pakistan are important countries in South Asia. The conflicts occurred near the Line of Control, Kashmir. This will not only harm the peace and stability of the two countries but also the peace and tranquillity of the region.”

The spokesperson hoped that “the relevant sides can do more things that are conducive to the peace and stability of the region and avoid the escalation of tensions”.