Differences shouldn’t become disputes: MEA on Dokalam

TIL Desk/World/New Delhi/Beijing/ India on Thursday made a renewed pitch for a ‘peaceful resolution’ of the Dokalam standoff through diplomatic channels, stressing that ‘differences’ should not become ‘disputes’.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay told reporters in New Delhi that New Delhi has been in ‘close contact’ with the Bhutan government on the unfolding developments.

“India’s approach is to have a peaceful resolution of issues on border with China,” he said underlining the understanding at the Astana meeting that differences between India and China should not be allowed to become disputes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in June in Kazakh capital Astana. “So, it is obvious that every responsible power, person and player in the world prefers peaceful resolution of matters,” Baglay said.

Asked whether India has briefed other countries on the issue, Baglay said it would not be appropriate for him to comment on diplomatic interactions on sensitive matters.