Sikkim: Doklam stand-off put ‘severe pressure’ on India, China ties says Wang Yi

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GANGTOK, December 13, 2017: The Doklam stand-off had put severe pressure on bilateral relations between New Delhi and Beijing, a statement issued by the Chinese foreign ministry, quoted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as telling his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj.

The statement added that Wang had brought up the 73-day stand-off between the Indian and the Chinese troops in the Donglang (Doklam) sector near the Sikkim border in June, during a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi, on Monday. Swaraj had then said at a press briefing that she and Wang had spoken about strengthening mutual trust to develop better understanding.

The statement, published in Mandarin, said: "The viciousness caused by the cross-border infiltration of the Indian border guards put bilateral relations under severe pressure. The matter was finally settled peacefully through diplomatic means, reflecting the maturing of bilateral relations. India-China ties maintained their momentum of development as a whole in 2017. Both sides have made efforts in this regard. But they (the efforts) were not very satisfactory.

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However, lessons should be learned and (such incidents) should be avoided again." "With mutual trust, the specific problems are expected to be resolved on the basis of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation," he added. Wang's visit to New Delhi was the first by a top Chinese official to India after the Doklam stand-off.

He added that lessons should be learnt from the episode so that 'such incidents are not repeated'.

(Agencies)

Featured image(courtesy): File photo from PTI