The standoff between the troops of India and China in the Sikkim sector entered the 18th day on Monday even as military sources speculated that a diplomatic solution could be in sight.
All eyes are now on a possible meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Hamburg on July 7-8 and the likelihood of the standoff figuring in the conversation.
Sources said they were hopeful of a peaceful end to the confrontation before the two leaders met. As of now, India continues to push for a flag meeting between local commanders.
“The soldiers are sitting there facing each other. It will go on till a diplomatic solution is worked out,” a defence source said.
On the offensive
Both sides had deployed additional troops after the initial face-off at the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet trijunction, on which all three countries have claims. However there is no further troop addition.
“Normally, in a standoff, no further reinforcements are sent after the initial push. We have standard procedures for that,” said an officer.
News broke out early last week on the standoff between the two countries at the trijunction that began on June 16 after Chinese troops tried to construct a road in the Bhutanese territory at Doko La over the Zom Cheri ridge. Indian Army personnel intervened and stopped the Chinese team from advancing.
China reacted sharply to this and charged that “Indian troops trespassed the recognised and delineated boundary” between the two countries.
Breaking silence on the issue, the Government of India said last Friday that it was “deeply concerned” at the recent Chinese actions, as such construction would represent a significant change of status quo with “serious security implications” for India.
India also reiterated its commitment to finding a “peaceful resolution through dialogue” with China.
