New Delhi: Articulating the government’s position in the Rajya Sabha during a discussion amid keen sparring with the Opposition, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said the border standoff with China cannot be resolved through war but only through bilateral talks.
She also lambasted Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for meeting the Chinese ambassador on the Doklam situation recently without ascertaining facts from the Indian government.
War is not a solution to anything. Even after war, there has to be a dialogue. So, have dialogue without a war... Patience, control on comments and diplomacy can resolve problems,” the minister said.
She said India is engaged with China to resolve differences, not only on the standoff at Doklam but on all matters like border dispute, Nuclear Suppliers Group and the blocking of UN sanctions against Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit chief Masood Azhar.
She was replying to a discussion on “India’s foreign policy and engagement with strategic partners” during which MPs voiced concern over the standoff and raised questions over India’s policy.
Military meant to fight wars: Sushma
“Our relations with China have recently come under renewed focus due to developments in the Doklam area in the Sikkim sector close to the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction boundary.
“Our concerns emanate from Chinese action on the ground which have implications for the determination of the tri- junction boundary point between India, China and Bhutan and the alignment of India-China boundary in the Sikkim sector,” Ms Sushma Swaraj said.
She said the “Chinese action in the Doklam area is .. of concern” and read out a statement giving details and explaining India’s position on the stand-off which has been going on for over a month.
“Patience and control on comments are key to resolving problems. We are maintaining patience and controlling comments,” she said.
She said if patience is lost, there can be provocation on the other side.
In response to questions, she said military readiness is always there as the military is meant to fight wars. “But war cannot resolve problems. So wisdom is to resolve diplomatically,” the external affairs minister asserted. Expressing confidence that the issue can be resolved through bilateral talks, Swaraj said, “India always believes that peace and tranquility in the India-China border is an important pre-requisite for smooth development of our bilateral relations.” She said the Chinese side also had expressed commitment to maintaining peace in the India-China border areas.
