Sikkim standoff: Coordinating with Bhutan on Doka La issue, says MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay

India today said it continues to engage with China diplomatically and has been coordinating with Bhutan to find a mutually-acceptable solution to the Doka La standoff. “We continue to engage with China through diplomatic channels to find a mutually acceptable solution,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said. Asked about China’s claim of India reducing its troops from 400 to 40 in Doka La, he refused to give a direct reply, calling it an operational matter. Our objective is to achieve peace and tranquillity and it will be achieved through diplomacy, Baglay said. He also said that India has been in continuous coordination and consultation with Bhutan on the Doka La issue.

We will continue to engage with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels to find a mutually acceptable solution: MEA on #Doklam issue pic.twitter.com/F08YCfytPz

— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2017

Upset over China stalling the move to list JeM’s (Jaish-e-Mohammad) Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the United Nations, Baglay hoped that countries sharing its concerns over international terrorism would cooperate in fighting all forms of terror. JeM chief Azhar had been involved in carrying out terror activities against India, and this was a well-known fact, said external affairs ministry spokesperson Baglay. On China’s stand on Masood Azhar, he said: “Hope countries sharing our concerns on terrorism will cooperate in fighting all forms of terrorism.” Azhar had been involved in carrying out terror activities against India, and this was a well-known fact, said Baglay. On China’s stand on Azhar, he said: “Hope countries sharing our concerns on terrorism will cooperate in fighting all forms of terrorism.”

Hope all those countries that share our concern of menace of international terrorism will cooperate in fighting all forms of terrorism: MEA pic.twitter.com/qgwjgKZ1HT

— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2017

Baglay further stated that the Indian government is fully prepared to ensure the security of its citizens:

Govt remains prepared, it is the country's responsibility to ensure security of its citizen and its territory: MEA on #Doklam issue

— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2017

On Thursday, External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj spoke about the Doka La issue at Rajya Sabha. She said that “patience is key to resolving problems” because if patience is lost, there can be provocation from the other side. [caption id=“attachment_3879779” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. PTI[/caption] “We will keep patience to resolve the issue,” as quoted by CNN-News18. Swaraj was replying to a discussion on “India’s foreign policy and engagement with strategic partners” in which members voiced concern over the conflict in Sikkim and questioned India’s policy. Responding to questions, she said military readiness is existent as the military is meant to fight wars. “But war cannot resolve problems. So wisdom is to resolve diplomatically,” the external affairs minister asserted, as reported by CNN-News18. She further said: “We are talking with China on everything, not just Doka lam. China has big investments in India. Also, you have to understand that both Russia and the United States are with us." With inputs from PTI