China must enter into serious discussions to sort out Dokhlam issue: Ashok Kantha

New Delhi [India], August 18 (ANI): Amid the growing tension between New Delhi and Beijing over standoff at Doklam near Sikkim, former Indian ambassador to China Ashok K Kantha suggested China to change its rather unreasonable position and enter into serious discussions to sort out issues.

"The points that Ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu has said are indeed most valid. He pointed out that Doklam is the disputed territory. which is a fact. Ambassador Hiramatsu also pointed out there should be no change in status quo through use of force. Now, that's a bilateral understanding between China and Bhutan. China must change its rather unreasonable position and enter serious discussions to sort out issue," he told ANI.

Japan has come out in full support for India in its protracted military stand-off with China at Doklam, near the Sikkim-Tibet-Bhutan trijunction, saying, no country should use unilateral forces to change the status quo on the ground.

Acknowledging the situation at the Doklam Plateau, Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu said, "We recognise Doklam is a disputed area between Bhutan and China and the two countries are engaged in border talks. We also understand that India has a treaty understanding with Bhutan. That's why Indian troops got involved in the area," according to the local media.

The endorsement of the Indian position by Japan is a significant development at a regional level as China has violated agreements with Japan as well, along with India and Bhutan. It is pertinent to mention that Japan is also engaged with the sovereignty issue with China over East China sea.

The Bhutanese Government had earlier told ANI over phone, "Our position on the border issue of Doklam is very clear."

Reacting to the developments in Doklam, the Bhutanese Government had on June 29 issued a statement, in which it clearly stated that the construction of the road inside the Bhutanese territory is a direct violation of the agreements and affects the process of demarcating the boundary between the two countries.

China is attempting to build a road through Doklam plateau, which is part of Bhutan, a development that would be a serious disadvantage to India's military defences.

Meanwhile, as the Doklam stand-off is approcahing its second month, China's Foreign Ministry has reiterated that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops would continue to defend Dong Lang, which is Chinese territory, and India should withdraw all its troops and equipment from there.

The stand-off began when China started constructing a road in the area. India objected to the road construction after the Chinese troops ignored Bhutanese protests, triggering the faceoff from June 16.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has reiterated that India's road map is peace and talks are going on to resolve the issue diplomatically.

India has made its stance clear that it stands for peace the border question can be solved diplomatically, not by war. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI