America&rsquo;s intelligence chief today said that he expects tensions between India and China will continue despite the negotiated settlement to their three-month border standoff in August.

&quot;China&rsquo;s growth may decelerate as the property sector cools and if Beijing accelerates economic reforms. India&rsquo;s economy is expected to rebound after headwinds from taxation changes and demonetisation,&quot;&nbsp;Dan Coats, Director of National Intelligence, said in his testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

&quot;We expect relations between India and China to remain tense and possibly to deteriorate further, despite the negotiated settlement to their three-month border standoff in August, elevating the risk of unintentional escalation,&rdquo; Coats said during the hearing on &#39;Worldwide Threat Assessment&#39; of the US intelligence community.

In East Asia, Coats said, China will continue to pursue an active foreign policy &mdash; especially in the Asia Pacific region &mdash; highlighted by a firm stance on its sovereignty claims in the East China Sea (ECS) and South China Sea (SCS), its relations with Taiwan, and its pursuit of economic engagement across the region.

China, which has been reinforcing its hold on the disputed SCS with military installations in the shoals and reclaimed islands, claims sovereignty over almost all of it.

Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over SCS.

Coats said regional tension will persist due to North Korea&rsquo;s nuclear and missile programmes and simmering tension over territorial and maritime disputes in the ECS and SCS.

&ldquo;China will also pursue efforts aimed at fulfilling its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative to expand its economic reach and political influence across Eurasia, Africa, and the Pacific through infrastructure projects,&rdquo; Coats said. 
&nbsp;

America’s intelligence chief today said that he expects tensions between India and China will continue despite the negotiated settlement to their three-month border standoff in August

America’s intelligence chief today said that he expects tensions between India and China will continue despite the negotiated settlement to their three-month border standoff in August. "China’s growth may decelerate as the property sector cools and if Beijing accelerates economic reforms. India’s economy is expected to rebound after headwinds from taxation changes and demonetisation," Dan Coats, Director of National Intelligence, said in his testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. "We expect relations between India and China to remain tense and possibly to deteriorate further, despite the negotiated settlement to their three-month border standoff in August, elevating the risk of unintentional escalation,” Coats said during the hearing on 'Worldwide Threat Assessment' of the US intelligence community. In East Asia, Coats said, China will continue to pursue an active foreign policy — especially in the Asia Pacific region — highlighted by a firm stance on its sovereignty claims in the East China Sea (ECS) and South China Sea (SCS), its relations with Taiwan, and its pursuit of economic engagement across the region. China, which has been reinforcing its hold on the disputed SCS with military installations in the shoals and reclaimed islands, claims sovereignty over almost all of it. Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over SCS. Coats said regional tension will persist due to North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes and simmering tension over territorial and maritime disputes in the ECS and SCS. “China will also pursue efforts aimed at fulfilling its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative to expand its economic reach and political influence across Eurasia, Africa, and the Pacific through infrastructure projects,” Coats said.

Relations between India and China to remain tense: US intelligence chief

India and China have a &quot;cold war-like&quot; relationship in the making but New Delhi is unlikely to join something framed as a US-led front to contain Beijing, a former American diplomat has said.

Alyssa Ayres, who served in the South and Central Asia Bureau of the State Department, made the remarks last week in New York during the launch of her latest book &#39;Our Time Has Come: How India is Making Its Place in the World&#39;.

&quot;It is a cold war-like relationship in the making. India and China have had a strong commercial relationship, but that is increasingly less satisfying for India, for many of the same reasons the United States is dissatisfied with its trade relationship with China,&quot; she said.

To a question on India-China ties, Ayres, currently a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think-tank, said that for a while the commercial relationship between the two countries had relegated their strategic competition to the backseat.

&quot;I think India (is) concerned about the increasingly larger presence that China is establishing across the Indian Ocean, with a base in Djibouti,&quot; she said.

She added that India may also be concerned over China&#39;s &quot;deep relationship&quot; with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the investments it is making in the two countries.

Asked about the impression in the US that New Delhi is a &quot;good bet&quot; to contain Beijing, she said India is unlikely to be part of such an initiative. 
 
&quot;I think India is going to be highly unlikely to be enlisted in something framed as a US-led effort to contain China. That is not what India seeks to do. It seeks to defend its own interests. It seeks to uphold the liberal world order,&quot; Ayres said.

&quot;India has been a big supporter of global norms, of freedom of navigation. But it also partners with China in many arenas. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), India is the number two capital contributor,&quot; she noted.

The BRICS organisation went from being just an idea in a research paper to being a real institution, she said, adding India is very active with that and the five-nation grouping has created its own development bank.

&quot;India became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. It&#39;s hedging its own bets as global governance reform lags on in the 20th-century institutions. And so where it has put some of its eggs in the new organisations basket, it has partnered with China on that front,&quot; Ayres said.

To another question, she said that there would be a measured response from India if there was a repeat of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. 
 
&quot;Based on what we saw with the surgical strikes of the previous year or the year before last, I would not expect a completely passive response. I would expect something measured, but much more active,&quot; she said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

India and China have a 'cold war-like' relationship in the making but New Delhi is unlikely to join something framed as a US-led front to contain Beijing, the former American diplomat said

India and China have a "cold war-like" relationship in the making but New Delhi is unlikely to join something framed as a US-led front to contain Beijing, a former American diplomat has said. Alyssa Ayres, who served in the South and Central Asia Bureau of the State Department, made the remarks last week in New York during the launch of her latest book 'Our Time Has Come: How India is Making Its Place in the World'. "It is a cold war-like relationship in the making. India and China have had a strong commercial relationship, but that is increasingly less satisfying for India, for many of the same reasons the United States is dissatisfied with its trade relationship with China," she said. To a question on India-China ties, Ayres, currently a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think-tank, said that for a while the commercial relationship between the two countries had relegated their strategic competition to the backseat. "I think India (is) concerned about the increasingly larger presence that China is establishing across the Indian Ocean, with a base in Djibouti," she said. She added that India may also be concerned over China's "deep relationship" with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the investments it is making in the two countries. Asked about the impression in the US that New Delhi is a "good bet" to contain Beijing, she said India is unlikely to be part of such an initiative. "I think India is going to be highly unlikely to be enlisted in something framed as a US-led effort to contain China. That is not what India seeks to do. It seeks to defend its own interests. It seeks to uphold the liberal world order," Ayres said. "India has been a big supporter of global norms, of freedom of navigation. But it also partners with China in many arenas. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), India is the number two capital contributor," she noted. The BRICS organisation went from being just an idea in a research paper to being a real institution, she said, adding India is very active with that and the five-nation grouping has created its own development bank. "India became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. It's hedging its own bets as global governance reform lags on in the 20th-century institutions. And so where it has put some of its eggs in the new organisations basket, it has partnered with China on that front," Ayres said. To another question, she said that there would be a measured response from India if there was a repeat of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. "Based on what we saw with the surgical strikes of the previous year or the year before last, I would not expect a completely passive response. I would expect something measured, but much more active," she said.

'India-China relationship cold war-like in the making'

India and China on Friday began the special representative-level talks on key aspects related to border issues.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China&#39;s State Councillor Yang Jiechi met along with senior officials for the 20th round of the India-China border talks.

During the day-long talks, the Doklam episode and other concerns pertaining to unresolved issues of boundary between India and China are expected to be discussed.

The Doklam standoff began on June 16 over People&#39;s Liberation Army&#39;s plans to build a road in an area claimed by Bhutan after the Indian troops intervened to stop it as it posed a security risk to Chicken Neck, the narrow corridor connecting India with its North-eastern states.

The standoff ended on August 28 following mutual agreement between India and China.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China's State Councillor Yang Jiechi met along with senior officials for the 20th round of the India-China border talks.

India and China on Friday began the special representative-level talks on key aspects related to border issues. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China's State Councillor Yang Jiechi met along with senior officials for the 20th round of the India-China border talks. During the day-long talks, the Doklam episode and other concerns pertaining to unresolved issues of boundary between India and China are expected to be discussed. The Doklam standoff began on June 16 over People's Liberation Army's plans to build a road in an area claimed by Bhutan after the Indian troops intervened to stop it as it posed a security risk to Chicken Neck, the narrow corridor connecting India with its North-eastern states. The standoff ended on August 28 following mutual agreement between India and China.

India-China begin border talks, first after Doklam standoff

India and China on Friday agreed that an early settlement of boundary question served the fundamental interests of both countries, India&#39;s external affairs ministry said.

After a meeting between the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China on the Boundary Question, Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor of India and Yang Jiechi, State Councillor, the external affairs ministry said the talks were &quot;positive&quot;. 
 
India and China also re-emphasised their commitment to achieve a fair, mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question at an early date, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The MEA added that special representatives of both countries had exchanged ideas on various confidence-building measures during their talks.

&quot;They acknowledged that as two large developing countries engaged in their national modernisation, relations between India and China transcend their bilateral dimensions and have significance for peace, stability and development of Asia and the world,&quot; the MEA statement said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-begin-border-talks-first-after-doklam-standoff-27433">Ajit Doval and Yang Jiechi</a> met along with senior officials for the 20th round of the India-China border talks, the first since the 72-day stand-off in the Doklam region near Sikkim. They later&nbsp;called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him about their deliberations. 
 
PM Modi asserted that a strong India-China relationship is important not only for the mutual benefit of their people, but also for the region and the world, the external affairs ministry said.

While the MEA statement did not say whether the Doklam issue was discussed, in Beijing, a spokesperson in Chinese foreign ministry avoided a question on whether it figured during the talks and instead said, &quot;This mechanism is not only a high-level channel for dialogue on border issues between the two sides but also important platform for strategic communication between China and India.&quot;

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson also said the SR mechanism was operating very well.

&quot;We hope the Indian side will work with China to make most of the current mechanism to uphold peace and tranquillity of border areas so that we can create enabling conditions for bilateral relations,&quot; the spokesperson added.

The Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de-facto border that divides India and China at Arunachal Pradesh is a major irritant between the two countries with China claiming parts of Arunachal Pradesh and claiming parts of the northeastern state as its own territory.

The two countries recently ended one of their worst stand-off in decades in&nbsp;Doklam region.

India had objected to China constructing a road in the disputed region which is claimed by both China and Bhutan as its own territory.

The stand-off began on June 16 and ended on August 28 following a mutual agreement between India and China.

(With inputs from PTI)

India and China on Friday agreed that an early settlement of boundary question served the fundamental interests of both countries, India's external affairs ministry said.

India and China on Friday agreed that an early settlement of boundary question served the fundamental interests of both countries, India's external affairs ministry said. After a meeting between the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China on the Boundary Question, Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor of India and Yang Jiechi, State Councillor, the external affairs ministry said the talks were "positive". India and China also re-emphasised their commitment to achieve a fair, mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question at an early date, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The MEA added that special representatives of both countries had exchanged ideas on various confidence-building measures during their talks. "They acknowledged that as two large developing countries engaged in their national modernisation, relations between India and China transcend their bilateral dimensions and have significance for peace, stability and development of Asia and the world," the MEA statement said. Ajit Doval and Yang Jiechi met along with senior officials for the 20th round of the India-China border talks, the first since the 72-day stand-off in the Doklam region near Sikkim. They later called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him about their deliberations. PM Modi asserted that a strong India-China relationship is important not only for the mutual benefit of their people, but also for the region and the world, the external affairs ministry said. While the MEA statement did not say whether the Doklam issue was discussed, in Beijing, a spokesperson in Chinese foreign ministry avoided a question on whether it figured during the talks and instead said, "This mechanism is not only a high-level channel for dialogue on border issues between the two sides but also important platform for strategic communication between China and India." The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson also said the SR mechanism was operating very well. "We hope the Indian side will work with China to make most of the current mechanism to uphold peace and tranquillity of border areas so that we can create enabling conditions for bilateral relations," the spokesperson added. The Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de-facto border that divides India and China at Arunachal Pradesh is a major irritant between the two countries with China claiming parts of Arunachal Pradesh and claiming parts of the northeastern state as its own territory. The two countries recently ended one of their worst stand-off in decades in Doklam region. India had objected to China constructing a road in the disputed region which is claimed by both China and Bhutan as its own territory. The stand-off began on June 16 and ended on August 28 following a mutual agreement between India and China. (With inputs from PTI)

India, China agree on early settlement of boundary question

In an indirect but obvious reference at Pakistan and China, India has criticised the two countries for supporting &quot;world-recognised terrorists&quot;.

India&#39;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Syed Akbaruddin said the UN Sanctions Committees were failing to make progress due to narrow political and strategic concerns of few states, while others were supporting terrorists.

&quot;Where Sanctions Committees have designated terrorists, there are states who venture to mainstream UN-designated terrorist individuals into their political process, in total disregard of international law, thus putting our common security in peril,&quot; he said.

The Indian envoy was referring to United Nations-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who was recently released from house arrest after a Pakistani court cited lack of evidence and was being allowed to run for office in Pakistan in 2018.

The Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, who is wanted by India for his role in masterminding the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed 166 lives, recently announced he would contest the general elections in Pakistan in 2018 under the banner of the Milli Muslim League.

In a reference to China, considered an ally of Pakistan, India&#39;s Permanent Representative to the UNSC criticised the country for failing to make &quot;concrete progress&quot; on the issue of the &quot;designation of of terrorist individuals and entities.&quot;

&quot;It is noticed that on an issue as serious as designation of terrorist individuals and entities, the Council-mandated Sanctions Committees fail to make concrete progress and fall victim to narrow political and strategic concerns in some cases,&quot; Akbaruddin said.

China has repeatedly blocked the move by India and other countries like the US, France and Germany to declare Masood Azhar, the chief of the terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), a global terrorist. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

The Indian envoy was referring to United Nations-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who was recently released from house arrest by Pakistan and JuD founder Masood Azhar, attempts to designate whom as a global terrorist have repeatedly been stonewalled by China

In an indirect but obvious reference at Pakistan and China, India has criticised the two countries for supporting "world-recognised terrorists". India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Syed Akbaruddin said the UN Sanctions Committees were failing to make progress due to narrow political and strategic concerns of few states, while others were supporting terrorists. "Where Sanctions Committees have designated terrorists, there are states who venture to mainstream UN-designated terrorist individuals into their political process, in total disregard of international law, thus putting our common security in peril," he said. The Indian envoy was referring to United Nations-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who was recently released from house arrest after a Pakistani court cited lack of evidence and was being allowed to run for office in Pakistan in 2018. The Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, who is wanted by India for his role in masterminding the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed 166 lives, recently announced he would contest the general elections in Pakistan in 2018 under the banner of the Milli Muslim League. In a reference to China, considered an ally of Pakistan, India's Permanent Representative to the UNSC criticised the country for failing to make "concrete progress" on the issue of the "designation of of terrorist individuals and entities." "It is noticed that on an issue as serious as designation of terrorist individuals and entities, the Council-mandated Sanctions Committees fail to make concrete progress and fall victim to narrow political and strategic concerns in some cases," Akbaruddin said. China has repeatedly blocked the move by India and other countries like the US, France and Germany to declare Masood Azhar, the chief of the terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), a global terrorist. (With inputs from ANI)

Indian envoy to UN slams Pakistan, China over Hafiz Saeed

Clearly, it is not the trilateral Russia-India-China (RIC) Foreign Ministers&#39; meeting held in New Delhi on December 11 that made Wang Yi&#39;s visit to India significant. Rather, it is the current &quot;cold peace&quot; that exists in China-India relations after the prolonged Doklam border stand-off making the Chinese foreign minister&#39;s current visit significant.

Wang Yi&#39;s visit was significant in many ways. It was the first high-level Chinese official&#39;s visit to India after the two and a half month long Doklam border stand-off. The Chinese foreign minister&#39;s visit to India demonstrated once again that the multilateral mode of engagement keeps China-India ties moving even though their bilateral relationship is at a low tide. Over the years, the RIC foreign ministers&#39; meeting might have contributed a little to expand the level of trust that is required to strengthen the bilateral relations among Russia, India and China. Still, this trilateral meeting remains to date one of the most valuable preparatory forums to generate broader understanding for BRICS and other multilateral channels of engagement among these countries. In fact, the RIC foreign minister&#39;s meeting has acted more as a consultative political mechanism to improve the understanding among Russia, India and China on regional and global affairs. In that context, Wang Yi&#39;s visit offered a much-required momentum to China-India relations with Russia at the regional level.

Additionally, consultative meetings that take place at the bilateral level during these multilateral forums come as an additional bonus to the entire spectrum of engagement. The Chinese foreign minister&#39;s meeting with Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj on the sidelines of the RIC meeting was certainly a positive move for their bilateralism. Fresh report indicates that both the Chinese and Indian Foreign Minister had a &ldquo;positive and forward&rdquo; looking meeting which was aimed to offer a &ldquo;fresh momentum&rdquo; to China-India bilateral relations. In a way, Wang Yi&rsquo;s visit offered an occasion for Chinese and Indian leaderships and officials to think afresh how to approach the bilateral relations ahead to the year 2018. The Chinese foreign minister&rsquo;s acceptance to address the India-China cultural evening organised by the Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra came as a solace that the bilateral relations need a flexible diplomatic and political approach on both hands.

The post-Doklam period witnessed a slow improvement in China-India relations. In fact, during the Xiamen BRICS summit, both Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi agreed to nurture ahead a &ldquo;forward looking constructive&rdquo; relationship. A &ldquo;constructive&rdquo; relationship that would be &ldquo;forward-looking&rdquo; is a part of their official &ldquo;developmental partnership&rdquo; which was primarily constructed during President Xi Jinping&rsquo;s visit to India in September 2014. The essence of this &ldquo;developmental partnership&rdquo; is to forge a closer economic-oriented partnership, enhancing the decade-old &ldquo;Strategic and Cooperative Partnership of Peace and Prosperity&rdquo;. A range of bilateral dialogue mechanisms - Joint Economic Group (JEG), Strategic Economic Dialogue, Financial Dialogue, Joint Working Group (JWG), Defence and Security Dialogues, Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED), and Special Representatives (SRs) dialogue - are central to this partnership. These mechanisms have offered an official level of certainty to push forward the dialogue process between the two countries even though tensions between the two sides continue to recur concerning the boundary disputes. Thus, one might witness both China and India having regular meetings through these mechanisms in 2018. But the challenge would be how to expand the bilateral trade contacts that have been freezing for some time around US$71.18 billion between the two sides. Importantly, to India&rsquo;s concern, the bilateral trade deficit with China is increasing.

Opportunities are aplenty for China and India to nurture their bilateral ties ahead. Still, it would not be easy to nurture a &ldquo;forward-looking&rdquo; partnership given the assertive strategic perspectives that both countries currently hold towards each other. India&rsquo;s resolute stance on the Doklam border stand-off surprised Beijing enormously, from which Beijing is yet to recover completely and figure out how to configure its relationship with India forward. Besides, Beijing has not yet completely disengaged itself from the Doklam episode. Fresh Indian media report suggests that around 1,800 Chinese troops are still camping at Doklam even though the heavy winter have arrived in the plateau. But no matter what might be the Chinese approach towards India in times to come, India must be prepared to deal with a new China under Xi Jinping. Wang Yi&rsquo;s visit to India was undertaken after the recently concluded 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which has prepared a &ldquo;new era&rdquo; blueprint for China under Xi Jinping. Positioning China as the leader of the developing world and centre of the globalized world would be the new mantra of this &ldquo;new era&rdquo; plan. To promote this, China may employ a more consultative approach towards the developing world, but its approach towards India would be meagre since Beijing views India as a contending power to its developing-world leadership strategy.

Thus, New Delhi on its part needs to carefully observe Beijing&rsquo;s powerful foreign policy team that is looking at Asian affairs, especially at matters relating to India, after the 19th National Congress. Under Xi Jinping, Chinese foreign policy is undergoing continuous change, where Wang Yi is expected to play an influential role in China&rsquo;s policy approach to India. Wang&rsquo;s foreign policy exposure in the Chinese decision-making continuum is outstanding. As a former Chinese Ambassador to Japan, a former Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and as a former Vice-Foreign Minister, Wang Yi is regarded as one of the finest and influential diplomats in the league of the CPC&rsquo;s foreign affairs. As a key member of the 17th and 18th Central Committees of the CPC, he is regarded as Xi Jinping&rsquo;s &ldquo;Asia Man&rdquo;. He is expected to play an influencing role in coming times on matters relating to key Asian affairs such as China-India boundary dispute, the South China Sea dispute or the East China Sea dispute.

Importantly, Wang Yi shares the distinction with Yang Jiechi, who is not only a member of the 18th Central Committee but a person in charge of China-India border affairs currently, especially the Special Representatives dialogue mechanism. With Yang Jiechi who has been recently elevated as a politburo member at the 19th National Congress, Wang Yi brings authority to China&rsquo;s decision-making process towards key Asian affairs, including matters relating to India. Yang Jiechi, a State Councillor is higher in ranking than the Foreign Minister Wang Yi. In a possible scenario of Yang Jiechi relinquishing the position of special representative of China-India border affairs in March 2018, Wang Yi is expected to be in charge. Approaching China under these new leaderships in coming times would therefore require smart diplomatic and political foresight in India.

Wang Yi&rsquo;s visit to India has offered a new political context for both the sides to rebuild the relationship afresh in 2018. Rebuilding the relationship would however require a flexible state approach on both sides. Xi Jinping&rsquo;s new China might not really be prepared to have a flexible approach towards India. The same can be said about India&rsquo;s current and future approach to China. India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi might not really succumb to any Chinese hard approach in coming times. Therefore, China-India relations would continue to make headlines even though the year 2018 might witness a more engaging relationship between the two countries at some level.

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity)

Wang Yi's visit was significant in many ways. It was the first high-level Chinese official's visit to India after the two and a half month long Doklam border stand-off.

Clearly, it is not the trilateral Russia-India-China (RIC) Foreign Ministers' meeting held in New Delhi on December 11 that made Wang Yi's visit to India significant. Rather, it is the current "cold peace" that exists in China-India relations after the prolonged Doklam border stand-off making the Chinese foreign minister's current visit significant. Wang Yi's visit was significant in many ways. It was the first high-level Chinese official's visit to India after the two and a half month long Doklam border stand-off. The Chinese foreign minister's visit to India demonstrated once again that the multilateral mode of engagement keeps China-India ties moving even though their bilateral relationship is at a low tide. Over the years, the RIC foreign ministers' meeting might have contributed a little to expand the level of trust that is required to strengthen the bilateral relations among Russia, India and China. Still, this trilateral meeting remains to date one of the most valuable preparatory forums to generate broader understanding for BRICS and other multilateral channels of engagement among these countries. In fact, the RIC foreign minister's meeting has acted more as a consultative political mechanism to improve the understanding among Russia, India and China on regional and global affairs. In that context, Wang Yi's visit offered a much-required momentum to China-India relations with Russia at the regional level. Additionally, consultative meetings that take place at the bilateral level during these multilateral forums come as an additional bonus to the entire spectrum of engagement. The Chinese foreign minister's meeting with Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj on the sidelines of the RIC meeting was certainly a positive move for their bilateralism. Fresh report indicates that both the Chinese and Indian Foreign Minister had a “positive and forward” looking meeting which was aimed to offer a “fresh momentum” to China-India bilateral relations. In a way, Wang Yi’s visit offered an occasion for Chinese and Indian leaderships and officials to think afresh how to approach the bilateral relations ahead to the year 2018. The Chinese foreign minister’s acceptance to address the India-China cultural evening organised by the Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra came as a solace that the bilateral relations need a flexible diplomatic and political approach on both hands. The post-Doklam period witnessed a slow improvement in China-India relations. In fact, during the Xiamen BRICS summit, both Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi agreed to nurture ahead a “forward looking constructive” relationship. A “constructive” relationship that would be “forward-looking” is a part of their official “developmental partnership” which was primarily constructed during President Xi Jinping’s visit to India in September 2014. The essence of this “developmental partnership” is to forge a closer economic-oriented partnership, enhancing the decade-old “Strategic and Cooperative Partnership of Peace and Prosperity”. A range of bilateral dialogue mechanisms - Joint Economic Group (JEG), Strategic Economic Dialogue, Financial Dialogue, Joint Working Group (JWG), Defence and Security Dialogues, Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED), and Special Representatives (SRs) dialogue - are central to this partnership. These mechanisms have offered an official level of certainty to push forward the dialogue process between the two countries even though tensions between the two sides continue to recur concerning the boundary disputes. Thus, one might witness both China and India having regular meetings through these mechanisms in 2018. But the challenge would be how to expand the bilateral trade contacts that have been freezing for some time around US$71.18 billion between the two sides. Importantly, to India’s concern, the bilateral trade deficit with China is increasing. Opportunities are aplenty for China and India to nurture their bilateral ties ahead. Still, it would not be easy to nurture a “forward-looking” partnership given the assertive strategic perspectives that both countries currently hold towards each other. India’s resolute stance on the Doklam border stand-off surprised Beijing enormously, from which Beijing is yet to recover completely and figure out how to configure its relationship with India forward. Besides, Beijing has not yet completely disengaged itself from the Doklam episode. Fresh Indian media report suggests that around 1,800 Chinese troops are still camping at Doklam even though the heavy winter have arrived in the plateau. But no matter what might be the Chinese approach towards India in times to come, India must be prepared to deal with a new China under Xi Jinping. Wang Yi’s visit to India was undertaken after the recently concluded 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which has prepared a “new era” blueprint for China under Xi Jinping. Positioning China as the leader of the developing world and centre of the globalized world would be the new mantra of this “new era” plan. To promote this, China may employ a more consultative approach towards the developing world, but its approach towards India would be meagre since Beijing views India as a contending power to its developing-world leadership strategy. Thus, New Delhi on its part needs to carefully observe Beijing’s powerful foreign policy team that is looking at Asian affairs, especially at matters relating to India, after the 19th National Congress. Under Xi Jinping, Chinese foreign policy is undergoing continuous change, where Wang Yi is expected to play an influential role in China’s policy approach to India. Wang’s foreign policy exposure in the Chinese decision-making continuum is outstanding. As a former Chinese Ambassador to Japan, a former Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and as a former Vice-Foreign Minister, Wang Yi is regarded as one of the finest and influential diplomats in the league of the CPC’s foreign affairs. As a key member of the 17th and 18th Central Committees of the CPC, he is regarded as Xi Jinping’s “Asia Man”. He is expected to play an influencing role in coming times on matters relating to key Asian affairs such as China-India boundary dispute, the South China Sea dispute or the East China Sea dispute. Importantly, Wang Yi shares the distinction with Yang Jiechi, who is not only a member of the 18th Central Committee but a person in charge of China-India border affairs currently, especially the Special Representatives dialogue mechanism. With Yang Jiechi who has been recently elevated as a politburo member at the 19th National Congress, Wang Yi brings authority to China’s decision-making process towards key Asian affairs, including matters relating to India. Yang Jiechi, a State Councillor is higher in ranking than the Foreign Minister Wang Yi. In a possible scenario of Yang Jiechi relinquishing the position of special representative of China-India border affairs in March 2018, Wang Yi is expected to be in charge. Approaching China under these new leaderships in coming times would therefore require smart diplomatic and political foresight in India. Wang Yi’s visit to India has offered a new political context for both the sides to rebuild the relationship afresh in 2018. Rebuilding the relationship would however require a flexible state approach on both sides. Xi Jinping’s new China might not really be prepared to have a flexible approach towards India. The same can be said about India’s current and future approach to China. India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi might not really succumb to any Chinese hard approach in coming times. Therefore, China-India relations would continue to make headlines even though the year 2018 might witness a more engaging relationship between the two countries at some level. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity)

Opinion: Wang Yi's visit to India may not clear the mist in China-India relations

China&#39;s defense ministry has warned India to draw lesson from the stand-off in Doklam, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-pm-modis-visit-to-china-india-china-to-disengage-troops-along-doklam-19576">hours after India said it had withdrawn its troops</a>,&nbsp;China Global Television Network reported.

China also downplayed India&#39;s announcement that the two countries had agreed to mutually disengage in Doklam. It claimed that its soldiers continued to patrol its troops from the disputed area near Sikkim.

It also remained silent on its plans to build a road, which had caused the prolonged standoff after India objected that the territory belonged to Bhutan.

China&#39;s foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying highlighted the withdrawal of Indian troops, claiming on its part that it would &quot;make adjustments&quot; with the situation on the ground.

On the afternoon on August 28th, India has pulled back all the trespassing personnel, equipment to the Indian side of the boundary, she said.

&quot;Indian forces and their equipment have already been withdrawn to the India side of the border. China&#39;s personnel on the ground have already confirmed this. China will continue to exercise sovereignty rights to protect territorial sovereignty in accordance the rules of the historical boundary. As I mentioned, because the situation on the ground has changed, China will make necessary adjustments and deployments in accordance with the situation on the ground,&quot; the foreign affairs ministry spokesperson said.

She also refused to answer questions on whether there was any mutual understanding between the two countries to resolve the standoff.

India wanted the status quo to be restored for the withdrawal of its troops.

Bhutan, which claimed sovereignty over the area, had lodged a diplomatic protest with China on June 28.

Troops of the two countries have been locked in a standoff in Dokalam since June 16 after Indian troops stopped the Chinese army from building a road in the disputed area.

Indian troops intervened to stop Chinese troops from building the road close to the strategic Chicken Neck, the narrow corridor connecting India&#39;s mainland with its North East.

India said China&#39;s road building also violated the 2012 agreement between the Special Representatives of India and China to resolve the boundary issue. The agreement referred to the strategic tri-junction between India, China and Bhutan.

Developments in Dokalam come days of ahead of the BRICS summit in the Chinese city of Xiamen which will be held from September 3-5.

China also downplayed India's announcement that the two countries had agreed to mutually disengage in Doklam

China's defense ministry has warned India to draw lesson from the stand-off in Doklam, hours after India said it had withdrawn its troops, China Global Television Network reported. China also downplayed India's announcement that the two countries had agreed to mutually disengage in Doklam. It claimed that its soldiers continued to patrol its troops from the disputed area near Sikkim. It also remained silent on its plans to build a road, which had caused the prolonged standoff after India objected that the territory belonged to Bhutan. China's foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying highlighted the withdrawal of Indian troops, claiming on its part that it would "make adjustments" with the situation on the ground. On the afternoon on August 28th, India has pulled back all the trespassing personnel, equipment to the Indian side of the boundary, she said. "Indian forces and their equipment have already been withdrawn to the India side of the border. China's personnel on the ground have already confirmed this. China will continue to exercise sovereignty rights to protect territorial sovereignty in accordance the rules of the historical boundary. As I mentioned, because the situation on the ground has changed, China will make necessary adjustments and deployments in accordance with the situation on the ground," the foreign affairs ministry spokesperson said. She also refused to answer questions on whether there was any mutual understanding between the two countries to resolve the standoff. India wanted the status quo to be restored for the withdrawal of its troops. Bhutan, which claimed sovereignty over the area, had lodged a diplomatic protest with China on June 28. Troops of the two countries have been locked in a standoff in Dokalam since June 16 after Indian troops stopped the Chinese army from building a road in the disputed area. Indian troops intervened to stop Chinese troops from building the road close to the strategic Chicken Neck, the narrow corridor connecting India's mainland with its North East. India said China's road building also violated the 2012 agreement between the Special Representatives of India and China to resolve the boundary issue. The agreement referred to the strategic tri-junction between India, China and Bhutan. Developments in Dokalam come days of ahead of the BRICS summit in the Chinese city of Xiamen which will be held from September 3-5.

China downplays disengagement of troops from Doklam, warns India to draw lesson

India said today it will continue to engage with China to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Dokalam standoff, but underlined that incidents like one in Ladakh three days ago were not in the &quot;interest of either side&quot;.

&quot;Today, I can confirm that there was an incident at Pangong Tso on August 15. This was subsequently discussed by the local army commanders of the two sides.&nbsp;

Such incidents are not in the interest of either side. We should maintain peace and tranquillity,&quot; external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

However, he did not confirm whether the incident involved stone pelting or use of rods and asserted that, &quot;I just said there was an incident.&quot; He also emphasised that the incident should not be linked with what was happening in any other sector.

Kumar also did not confirm whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to China next month to attend Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) summit, saying he does not have any information about it.

Asked about the current status of the standoff, he said, &quot;It is a sensitive issue... We will continue to engage with China to find mutually acceptable solution. Peace and tranquillity in border areas are important pre-requisites for smooth development of bilateral relations.&quot;

However, he quipped, &quot;I am not an astrologer, so cannot predict&quot;, when asked by when the Dokalam standoff will be resolved.

In the context of the Ladakh incident, he said two border personnel meetings (BPMs) had taken place between Indian border guards and Chinese troops recently. 
 
He said one BPM had taken place at Chushul on August 16 and another one at Nathu La a week before.

Asked if China has shared hydrological data with India in the backdrop of floods in Assam, Kumar said there is an existing expert-level mechanism, established in 2006, and there are two MoUs under which China is expected to share hydrological data on rivers Sutlej and Brahmaputra with India during the flood season of May 15 to June 15.

&quot;For this year, we have not received hydrological data from the Chinese side,&quot; the spokesperson said.

However, he added that it was &quot;premature&quot; to link it with the floods in Assam as there can be &quot;technical reasons&quot; behind China not sharing the data.

He also noted that in view of floods in Bihar, India was closely coordinating with Nepal, both at Centre and state- level.

Asked about the reported comments of the Japanese Ambassador on Dokalam face off and if India welcomes it, Kumar gave a very guarded reaction, saying the remarks speak for themselves.

The Japanese ambassador was quoted in media as saying that no country should use unilateral forces to alter the status of Dokalam.

&quot;We recognise Dokalam is a disputed area between Bhutan and China and two countries are engaged in border talks... We also understand that the India has a treaty understanding with Bhutan that&#39;s why Indian troops got involved in the area,&quot; the ambassador had reportedly said.

Reacting to the Japanese ambassador&#39;s comments, Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing said, &quot;I want to remind him not to randomly make comments before clarifying relevant facts. In the Donglong (Dokalam) area, there is no territorial dispute. The boundary has been delimited and recognised by the two sides.&quot;

Kumar also refused to divulge details of communication by other countries to India on the Dokalam issue.

Asked about a video, posted by Chinese state-run media, which portrayed Indians in a very poor taste, he said he does not want to &quot;dignify&quot; it with a response.

On the tense situation in the Korean peninsula, Kumar said India understands growing concerns among international community on the situation in that region.

India&#39;s position is consistent that there should be peaceful resolution of the issue, he added.

The reaction comes amid exchange of aggressive rhetoric between North Korea and the US over Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear ambitions and missile program.&nbsp;

India said incidents like the one in Ladakh were 'not in interest of either side'

India said today it will continue to engage with China to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Dokalam standoff, but underlined that incidents like one in Ladakh three days ago were not in the "interest of either side". "Today, I can confirm that there was an incident at Pangong Tso on August 15. This was subsequently discussed by the local army commanders of the two sides. Such incidents are not in the interest of either side. We should maintain peace and tranquillity," external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. However, he did not confirm whether the incident involved stone pelting or use of rods and asserted that, "I just said there was an incident." He also emphasised that the incident should not be linked with what was happening in any other sector. Kumar also did not confirm whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to China next month to attend Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) summit, saying he does not have any information about it. Asked about the current status of the standoff, he said, "It is a sensitive issue... We will continue to engage with China to find mutually acceptable solution. Peace and tranquillity in border areas are important pre-requisites for smooth development of bilateral relations." However, he quipped, "I am not an astrologer, so cannot predict", when asked by when the Dokalam standoff will be resolved. In the context of the Ladakh incident, he said two border personnel meetings (BPMs) had taken place between Indian border guards and Chinese troops recently. He said one BPM had taken place at Chushul on August 16 and another one at Nathu La a week before. Asked if China has shared hydrological data with India in the backdrop of floods in Assam, Kumar said there is an existing expert-level mechanism, established in 2006, and there are two MoUs under which China is expected to share hydrological data on rivers Sutlej and Brahmaputra with India during the flood season of May 15 to June 15. "For this year, we have not received hydrological data from the Chinese side," the spokesperson said. However, he added that it was "premature" to link it with the floods in Assam as there can be "technical reasons" behind China not sharing the data. He also noted that in view of floods in Bihar, India was closely coordinating with Nepal, both at Centre and state- level. Asked about the reported comments of the Japanese Ambassador on Dokalam face off and if India welcomes it, Kumar gave a very guarded reaction, saying the remarks speak for themselves. The Japanese ambassador was quoted in media as saying that no country should use unilateral forces to alter the status of Dokalam. "We recognise Dokalam is a disputed area between Bhutan and China and two countries are engaged in border talks... We also understand that the India has a treaty understanding with Bhutan that's why Indian troops got involved in the area," the ambassador had reportedly said. Reacting to the Japanese ambassador's comments, Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing said, "I want to remind him not to randomly make comments before clarifying relevant facts. In the Donglong (Dokalam) area, there is no territorial dispute. The boundary has been delimited and recognised by the two sides." Kumar also refused to divulge details of communication by other countries to India on the Dokalam issue. Asked about a video, posted by Chinese state-run media, which portrayed Indians in a very poor taste, he said he does not want to "dignify" it with a response. On the tense situation in the Korean peninsula, Kumar said India understands growing concerns among international community on the situation in that region. India's position is consistent that there should be peaceful resolution of the issue, he added. The reaction comes amid exchange of aggressive rhetoric between North Korea and the US over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions and missile program.

India confirms confrontation with Chinese troops in Ladakh

Army officers of India and China met Wednesday&nbsp;in Leh&#39;s Chusul sector, a day after border guards foiled an attempt by Chinese soldiers to enter Indian territory along the banks of Pangong lake in Ladakh.

Official sources said yesterday&#39;s incident at Pangong and ways to maintain peace and tranquility along the Sino-India border in Ladakh were discussed at length at the border personnel meeting (BPM).

Soldiers of the People&#39;s Liberation Army (PLA) tried to enter the Indian side in two areas-- Finger Four and Finger Five-- twice between 6 am and 9 am yesterday. But on both the occasions their attempts were thwarted by alert Indian troops.

After Chinese troopers found their path blocked by ITBP personnel who formed a human chain, they began hurling stones, prompting a swift retaliation by Indian border guards.

Personnel from both sides received minor injuries and the situation was brought under control after the customary banner drill under which both sides hold banners before stepping back to their respective positions.

The Chinese troops had managed to enter up to Finger Four area in the region from where they were sent back. This area has been a bone of contention between India and China as both claim it to be a part of their territory.

When asked about yesterday&#39;s incident in Ladakh, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters, &quot;This is not a subject on which the government makes a comment on.&quot;

The sources said today&#39;s BPM was pre-scheduled and the issues discussed included strengthening of existing mechanism for maintaining peace and tranquility along the border. Brigadier ranked officers of both sides attended the meeting.

Two-thirds of the Pangong Lake are controlled by China while one-third of it is controlled by India. 
 
The incidents in Ladakh took place amid a face off between Indian and Chinese armies in Dokalam in India-Bhutan- China trijunction which has entered the third month.

Official sources said notwithstanding the standoff, sweets were exchanged between the Indian Army and PLA troops in multiple border locations including in Dokalam.

Exchange of sweets on Independence Day and Republic Day has been a tradition for last several years.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Official sources said yesterday's incident at Pangong and ways to maintain peace and tranquility along the Sino-India border in Ladakh were discussed at length

Army officers of India and China met Wednesday in Leh's Chusul sector, a day after border guards foiled an attempt by Chinese soldiers to enter Indian territory along the banks of Pangong lake in Ladakh. Official sources said yesterday's incident at Pangong and ways to maintain peace and tranquility along the Sino-India border in Ladakh were discussed at length at the border personnel meeting (BPM). Soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) tried to enter the Indian side in two areas-- Finger Four and Finger Five-- twice between 6 am and 9 am yesterday. But on both the occasions their attempts were thwarted by alert Indian troops. After Chinese troopers found their path blocked by ITBP personnel who formed a human chain, they began hurling stones, prompting a swift retaliation by Indian border guards. Personnel from both sides received minor injuries and the situation was brought under control after the customary banner drill under which both sides hold banners before stepping back to their respective positions. The Chinese troops had managed to enter up to Finger Four area in the region from where they were sent back. This area has been a bone of contention between India and China as both claim it to be a part of their territory. When asked about yesterday's incident in Ladakh, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters, "This is not a subject on which the government makes a comment on." The sources said today's BPM was pre-scheduled and the issues discussed included strengthening of existing mechanism for maintaining peace and tranquility along the border. Brigadier ranked officers of both sides attended the meeting. Two-thirds of the Pangong Lake are controlled by China while one-third of it is controlled by India. The incidents in Ladakh took place amid a face off between Indian and Chinese armies in Dokalam in India-Bhutan- China trijunction which has entered the third month. Official sources said notwithstanding the standoff, sweets were exchanged between the Indian Army and PLA troops in multiple border locations including in Dokalam. Exchange of sweets on Independence Day and Republic Day has been a tradition for last several years.

Day after border skirmish, Army officers of India, China meet in Leh

India&#39;s military has increased operational readiness along the eastern Indian border with China, sources said, as neither side shows any sign of backing off from a face-off in a remote Himalayan region near their disputed frontier.

Indian and Chinese troops have been embroiled in the seven-week confrontation on the Doklam plateau, claimed by both China and India&#39;s tiny ally, Bhutan.

The sources, who were briefed on the deployment, said they did not expect the tensions, involving about 300 soldiers on each side standing a few hundred feet apart, to escalate into a conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who fought a brief but bloody border war in 1962.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dokalam-stand-off-us-calls-for-india-china-dialogue-18863" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dokalam-stand-off-us-calls-for-india-china-dialogue-18863" target="_blank">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dokalam-stand-off-us-calls-for-india-china-dialogue-18863" target="_blank"> calls for India-China dialogue</a>

But the military alert level had been raised as a matter of caution, two sources in New Delhi and in the eastern state of Sikkim reported on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The crisis began in June when a Chinese construction crew was found to be trying to extend a road in the Doklam region that both China and the mountainous nation of Bhutan claim as theirs.

India, which has special ties with Bhutan, sent its troops to stop the construction, igniting anger in Beijing which said New Delhi had no business to intervene, and demanded a unilateral troop withdrawal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s administration, though, has dug in its heels and said that the Chinese road activity in the region near the borders of India, Bhutan and China was a threat to the security of its own northeast region.

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&quot;The army has moved to a state that is called &#39;no war, no peace&#39;,&quot; one of the sources said. Under the order issued to all troop formations in the eastern command a week ago, soldiers are supposed take up positions that are earmarked for them in the event of a war, the source said.

Each year, Indian troop formations deployed on the border go on such an &quot;operational alert&quot; usually in September and October. But this year the activity has been advanced in the eastern sector, the source in Sikkim, above which lies the area of the current standoff, said.

&quot;It is out of caution. It has been done because of the situation,&quot; the source said. But the source stressed there was no additional force deployment and that the area was well defended.

The move comes as diplomatic efforts to break the stalemate failed to make headway, other sources with close ties to the Modi government reported earlier in the week.

China has repeatedly warned of an escalation if India did not order its troops back. The state-controlled Global Times which has kept a barrage of hostile commentary said this week that if Modi continued the present course in the border, Beijing would have to take &quot;counter-measures&quot;.

Ties between the neighbours have been souring over China&#39;s military assistance to India&#39;s arch rival Pakistan and its expanding presence in smaller nations in South Asia which New Delhi long regarded as its area of influence.

China has criticised the Modi government&#39;s public embrace of the Dalai Lama and its decision to let the Tibetan spiritual leader, whom it regards as a &quot;dangerous splittist&quot;, to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh which China claims as its own.

China has also frowned at India&#39;s expanding military ties with the United States as well as Japan.

India, which has special ties with Bhutan, sent its troops to stop the construction, igniting anger in Beijing which said New Delhi had no business to intervene, and demanded a unilateral troop withdrawal

India's military has increased operational readiness along the eastern Indian border with China, sources said, as neither side shows any sign of backing off from a face-off in a remote Himalayan region near their disputed frontier. Indian and Chinese troops have been embroiled in the seven-week confrontation on the Doklam plateau, claimed by both China and India's tiny ally, Bhutan. The sources, who were briefed on the deployment, said they did not expect the tensions, involving about 300 soldiers on each side standing a few hundred feet apart, to escalate into a conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who fought a brief but bloody border war in 1962. Also read: US calls for India-China dialogue But the military alert level had been raised as a matter of caution, two sources in New Delhi and in the eastern state of Sikkim reported on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The crisis began in June when a Chinese construction crew was found to be trying to extend a road in the Doklam region that both China and the mountainous nation of Bhutan claim as theirs. India, which has special ties with Bhutan, sent its troops to stop the construction, igniting anger in Beijing which said New Delhi had no business to intervene, and demanded a unilateral troop withdrawal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, though, has dug in its heels and said that the Chinese road activity in the region near the borders of India, Bhutan and China was a threat to the security of its own northeast region. The army has moved to a state that is called 'no war, no peace',' one of the sources said. Under the order issued to all troop formations in the eastern command a week ago, soldiers are supposed take up positions that are earmarked for them in the event of a war, the source said × "The army has moved to a state that is called 'no war, no peace'," one of the sources said. Under the order issued to all troop formations in the eastern command a week ago, soldiers are supposed take up positions that are earmarked for them in the event of a war, the source said. Each year, Indian troop formations deployed on the border go on such an "operational alert" usually in September and October. But this year the activity has been advanced in the eastern sector, the source in Sikkim, above which lies the area of the current standoff, said. "It is out of caution. It has been done because of the situation," the source said. But the source stressed there was no additional force deployment and that the area was well defended. The move comes as diplomatic efforts to break the stalemate failed to make headway, other sources with close ties to the Modi government reported earlier in the week. China has repeatedly warned of an escalation if India did not order its troops back. The state-controlled Global Times which has kept a barrage of hostile commentary said this week that if Modi continued the present course in the border, Beijing would have to take "counter-measures". Ties between the neighbours have been souring over China's military assistance to India's arch rival Pakistan and its expanding presence in smaller nations in South Asia which New Delhi long regarded as its area of influence. China has criticised the Modi government's public embrace of the Dalai Lama and its decision to let the Tibetan spiritual leader, whom it regards as a "dangerous splittist", to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh which China claims as its own. China has also frowned at India's expanding military ties with the United States as well as Japan.

Doklam standoff: Indian Army steps up operational readiness

In the current standoff in Doklam, India will remain firm militarily but be reasonable diplomatically, the Times of India reported on Wednesday quoting sources.&nbsp;

&quot;India will remain &#39;firm and resolute&#39; on the ground or at the military level to thwart any attempt by China to &#39;bully&#39; Bhutan, while being &#39;reasonable&#39; at the politico-diplomatic level to resolve the ongoing troop stand-off with the People&#39;s Liberation Army in the Doklam area in Bhutanese territory, say sources&quot;, the TOI said.&nbsp;

There are at the moment about 300 soldiers from either side facing off from each other, about 150 metres apart, in Doklam.&nbsp;

Doklam lies in Bhutan, close to the trijunction where China (Tibet), India (Sikkim), and Bhutan meet.&nbsp;

The standoff erupted in June when Chinese troops began to build a road on the plateau.&nbsp;

Bhutanese troops tried to stop them but were unable to do so.&nbsp;

They then asked Indian troops for help, who intervened, sparking the standoff which has been building up ever since.&nbsp;

Only yesterday, the Chinese defence ministry said -- depending on the situation -- it would continue to increase troop deployments to the region.&nbsp;

There are at the moment about 300 soldiers from either side facing off from each other, about 150 metres apart, in Doklam

In the current standoff in Doklam, India will remain firm militarily but be reasonable diplomatically, the Times of India reported on Wednesday quoting sources. "India will remain 'firm and resolute' on the ground or at the military level to thwart any attempt by China to 'bully' Bhutan, while being 'reasonable' at the politico-diplomatic level to resolve the ongoing troop stand-off with the People's Liberation Army in the Doklam area in Bhutanese territory, say sources", the TOI said. There are at the moment about 300 soldiers from either side facing off from each other, about 150 metres apart, in Doklam. Doklam lies in Bhutan, close to the trijunction where China (Tibet), India (Sikkim), and Bhutan meet. The standoff erupted in June when Chinese troops began to build a road on the plateau. Bhutanese troops tried to stop them but were unable to do so. They then asked Indian troops for help, who intervened, sparking the standoff which has been building up ever since. Only yesterday, the Chinese defence ministry said -- depending on the situation -- it would continue to increase troop deployments to the region.

On Doklam, India will remain firm militarily but be reasonable diplomatically: Report

India and China should engage in direct dialogue free of any &quot;coercive aspects&quot; to reduce the tension over a military standoff in Doklam, the Pentagon has said.

Chinese and Indian soldiers have been locked in a face-off in Doklam area in the southernmost part of Tibet in an area also claimed by Indian ally Bhutan for over a month after Indian troops stopped the Chinese army from building a road in the disputed area.

&quot;We encourage India and China to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions and free of any coercive aspects,&quot; Gary Ross, a Defence Department spokesman told PTI.

Ross, however, refused to take sides on the issue.

&quot;We refer you to the governments of India and China for further information... We are not going to speculate on such matters,&quot; Ross said when asked if the Pentagon fears the tension may escalate between India and China.

The US State Department too has made similar statements over the past week.

In recent years, almost all neighbours of China have accused Beijing of coercive tactics to settle border disputes.

The standoff in Dokalam is seen as part of the same tactic to change the status quo in the area. India has taken a strong stand against the Chinese &quot;unilateral action&quot;.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is to head to Beijing for a meeting of BRICS&#39; NSAs next week. He is expected to discuss the issue with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

Earlier this week, a top Pentagon Commander told US lawmakers that China was exploiting its economic leverage as a way to further its regional political objectives.

&quot;As China&#39;s military modernisation continues, the United States and its allies and partners will continue to be challenged to balance China&#39;s influence,&quot; General Paul Selva, USAF, said in written response to questions to the Senate Armed Services Committee for his reconfirmation as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Selva said deterring war is an exercise in influencing China&#39;s decision calculus, making diplomacy preferable to conflict and managing crises in such a manner that they do not unintentionally escalate.

&quot;To do this, the Joint Force will engage with the Chinese military within Congressionally mandated limits, build alliance capacity through close cooperation, and uphold international law through appropriate operations,&quot; he said.

The US has refused to take sides on the issue

India and China should engage in direct dialogue free of any "coercive aspects" to reduce the tension over a military standoff in Doklam, the Pentagon has said. Chinese and Indian soldiers have been locked in a face-off in Doklam area in the southernmost part of Tibet in an area also claimed by Indian ally Bhutan for over a month after Indian troops stopped the Chinese army from building a road in the disputed area. "We encourage India and China to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions and free of any coercive aspects," Gary Ross, a Defence Department spokesman told PTI. Ross, however, refused to take sides on the issue. "We refer you to the governments of India and China for further information... We are not going to speculate on such matters," Ross said when asked if the Pentagon fears the tension may escalate between India and China. The US State Department too has made similar statements over the past week. In recent years, almost all neighbours of China have accused Beijing of coercive tactics to settle border disputes. The standoff in Dokalam is seen as part of the same tactic to change the status quo in the area. India has taken a strong stand against the Chinese "unilateral action". National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is to head to Beijing for a meeting of BRICS' NSAs next week. He is expected to discuss the issue with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. Earlier this week, a top Pentagon Commander told US lawmakers that China was exploiting its economic leverage as a way to further its regional political objectives. "As China's military modernisation continues, the United States and its allies and partners will continue to be challenged to balance China's influence," General Paul Selva, USAF, said in written response to questions to the Senate Armed Services Committee for his reconfirmation as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Selva said deterring war is an exercise in influencing China's decision calculus, making diplomacy preferable to conflict and managing crises in such a manner that they do not unintentionally escalate. "To do this, the Joint Force will engage with the Chinese military within Congressionally mandated limits, build alliance capacity through close cooperation, and uphold international law through appropriate operations," he said.

US tells China, India to engage in 'direct dialogue' over stand-off in Doklam

India on Monday categorically denied reports coming from Chinese media that the Chinese Army killed 158 Indian soldiers and fired rockets across the Sikkim border.

India&#39;s denial came a day after China&#39;s army conducted new drills in Tibet that included targeting enemy aircraft and tanks.

&quot;Such reports are utterly baseless, malicious and mischievous. No cognisance should be taken of them by responsible media,&quot; Ministry of External Affairs Minsiter official spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.

A report in&nbsp;Dunya news had claimed that the&nbsp;Chinese Army carried out attacks across the Sikkim border wounding several Indian soldiers. It cited a two minute video footage that was broadcast&nbsp;by the China Central Television (CCTV).

The video footage showed the Chinese soldiers attacking an Indian post&nbsp;using rocket launchers, machine guns, and mortars.This incident comes amid the month-long stand-off between the two countries in disputed Doklam area at the China, Bhutan, and India tri-junction.

The stand-off emerged after Chinese troops were stopped by the Indian Army from constructiing a&nbsp;road&nbsp;in Doklam.

Bhutan claims the area as a part of its territory. China says&nbsp;the area falls on their side as per a&nbsp;1890 treaty signed between the Britishers&nbsp;and China.

China suspended the annual Kailash Manasarovar yatra and conceded that the decision to suspend the pilgrimage was due to a scuffle at the border.&nbsp;It also alleged that the Indian troops had crossed the Sikkim sector of the Indo-China border.&nbsp;

(ANI)&nbsp;

India's denial came a day after China's army conducted new drills in Tibet that included targeting enemy aircraft and tanks

India on Monday categorically denied reports coming from Chinese media that the Chinese Army killed 158 Indian soldiers and fired rockets across the Sikkim border. India's denial came a day after China's army conducted new drills in Tibet that included targeting enemy aircraft and tanks. "Such reports are utterly baseless, malicious and mischievous. No cognisance should be taken of them by responsible media," Ministry of External Affairs Minsiter official spokesperson Gopal Baglay said. A report in Dunya news had claimed that the Chinese Army carried out attacks across the Sikkim border wounding several Indian soldiers. It cited a two minute video footage that was broadcast by the China Central Television (CCTV). The video footage showed the Chinese soldiers attacking an Indian post using rocket launchers, machine guns, and mortars.This incident comes amid the month-long stand-off between the two countries in disputed Doklam area at the China, Bhutan, and India tri-junction. The stand-off emerged after Chinese troops were stopped by the Indian Army from constructiing a road in Doklam. Bhutan claims the area as a part of its territory. China says the area falls on their side as per a 1890 treaty signed between the Britishers and China. China suspended the annual Kailash Manasarovar yatra and conceded that the decision to suspend the pilgrimage was due to a scuffle at the border. It also alleged that the Indian troops had crossed the Sikkim sector of the Indo-China border. (ANI)

India says report claiming Chinese army killed 158 Indian soldiers 'baseless'

India is receiving a &quot;massive influx&quot; of foreign investments which will greatly enhance its ability to develop the manufacturing sector and China should &quot;keep calm&quot; and start working on a more effective growth strategy for the new era, a state-run newspaper said today.

&quot;This massive influx of investment by foreign manufacturers is of great significance for India&#39;s economy, employment and industrial development,&quot; an article in the Global Times said.

&quot;China should be calm seeing India&#39;s rise. To cope with competition from India, China could start working on a more effective growth strategy for the new era now,&quot; the article&nbsp;said.

The influx of foreign manufacturers is addressing some of India&#39;s weaknesses and enhancing its manufacturing ability, with Chinese companies also playing an important role in the process, according to the article.

&quot;This is a repeat of China&#39;s introduction of foreign investment,&nbsp;which is why it is likely that India may succeed.

&quot;If in the past India lacked capital, a developed manufacturing sector and skilled manufacturing workers, the foreign manufacturing inflow is now helping India address the problem, backing up the governments Make in India initiative,&quot; it said.

The article listed a host of foreign companies including some of the Chinese firms which are investing in India.

&quot;It should be pointed out that what is happening in India occurred in China two decades ago. 
 
&quot;Just like what happened with China during its reform and opening-up, the arrival of foreign manufacturing will greatly enhance Indias ability to develop its manufacturing sector, which will help in cultivating a large number of skilled workers, managers and factories,&quot; it added.&nbsp;

An article in state-run Global Times said the "massive influx" of foreign investments in India will greatly enhance its ability to develop the manufacturing sector

India is receiving a "massive influx" of foreign investments which will greatly enhance its ability to develop the manufacturing sector and China should "keep calm" and start working on a more effective growth strategy for the new era, a state-run newspaper said today. "This massive influx of investment by foreign manufacturers is of great significance for India's economy, employment and industrial development," an article in the Global Times said. "China should be calm seeing India's rise. To cope with competition from India, China could start working on a more effective growth strategy for the new era now," the article said. The influx of foreign manufacturers is addressing some of India's weaknesses and enhancing its manufacturing ability, with Chinese companies also playing an important role in the process, according to the article. "This is a repeat of China's introduction of foreign investment, which is why it is likely that India may succeed. "If in the past India lacked capital, a developed manufacturing sector and skilled manufacturing workers, the foreign manufacturing inflow is now helping India address the problem, backing up the governments Make in India initiative," it said. The article listed a host of foreign companies including some of the Chinese firms which are investing in India. "It should be pointed out that what is happening in India occurred in China two decades ago. "Just like what happened with China during its reform and opening-up, the arrival of foreign manufacturing will greatly enhance Indias ability to develop its manufacturing sector, which will help in cultivating a large number of skilled workers, managers and factories," it added.

China should keep calm about India's rise: Chinese media

A Taiwanese delegation&#39;s visit to India earlier this week has raised China&#39;s hackles, who insist that all countries having diplomatic ties with them should respect the &#39;One-China policy&#39;.

China&#39;s foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang condemned the India visit made by Taiwanese legislators, saying New Delhi should take &quot;concrete actions for steady development of India-China relations&quot;.

&quot;The reason why China lodged the representation is because that we have been requiring countries that have diplomatic relations with China to fulfil their commitment to the &#39;One China&#39; principle,&quot; he said.

The Indian side has asked Beijing to not look at the visit from a political angle, with India&#39;s external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup saying there was &quot;nothing new or unusual about such visits&quot;.

A three-member women&#39;s parliamentary delegation from Taiwan visited India earlier this week amid growing engagement between the two countries.

&quot;Such informal groups have visited India in the past as well for business, religious and tourist purposes. I understand that they do so to China as well,&quot; Swarup said.

&#39;Playing with fire&#39;

The Chinese media was more belligerent in its tone, saying India was &quot;playing with fire&quot; by playing Beijing over the Taiwan issue.

China&#39;s state media Global Times said India was standing out as a &quot;provocateur&quot; at a time when even Trump has soft-pedalled on the issue.

The editorial further stated: &quot;High-level visits between India and Taiwan are not very frequent, so why did India invite the Taiwan delegation to visit at this time?&quot;&nbsp;

It also accused New Delhi of deliberately trying to rile Beijing by raking up issues that are sensitive to the Chinese mainland.&nbsp;

The Taiwanese delegation&#39;s visit last week was the first one since pro-independence President Tsai Ing-wen swept to power last year.

Brothers in arms?

India and Taiwan have enjoyed a steady relationship over the years much to Beijing&#39;s chagrin.

Though diplomatic relations have mainly stayed off radar,&nbsp;Taiwan currently has Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre located in New Delhi. India&#39;s office in Taiwan is called India-Taipei Association.

Taiwan has been a hot potato for Beijing as it considers the country to be a part of the mainland.

Beijing&#39;s &#39;One China principle&#39; views Taiwan to be an inalienable part of a single China.

But its &#39;One-China policy&#39; is slightly different as Beijing states that countries having diplomatic relations with them must not engage with Republic of China, also known as Taiwan.

Recently, the United States bore the brunt of China&#39;s ire when Donald Trump became the US president to phone&nbsp;his Taiwanese counterpart since 1979.

In the 1970s, the US had decided to adhere to the &#39;One-China policy&#39; by closing its embassy in Taiwan.

Diplomatic relations between the two sides were skewered when Trump called up Tsai to congratulate his election win.

But days after hectic diplomatic jostling, Trump affirmed that the US would abide by the &#39;One-China policy&#39;.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

&nbsp;

Beijing warned India that it was contravening the 'One-China policy' by maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan

A Taiwanese delegation's visit to India earlier this week has raised China's hackles, who insist that all countries having diplomatic ties with them should respect the 'One-China policy'. China's foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang condemned the India visit made by Taiwanese legislators, saying New Delhi should take "concrete actions for steady development of India-China relations". "The reason why China lodged the representation is because that we have been requiring countries that have diplomatic relations with China to fulfil their commitment to the 'One China' principle," he said. The Indian side has asked Beijing to not look at the visit from a political angle, with India's external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup saying there was "nothing new or unusual about such visits". A three-member women's parliamentary delegation from Taiwan visited India earlier this week amid growing engagement between the two countries. "Such informal groups have visited India in the past as well for business, religious and tourist purposes. I understand that they do so to China as well," Swarup said. 'Playing with fire' The Chinese media was more belligerent in its tone, saying India was "playing with fire" by playing Beijing over the Taiwan issue. China's state media Global Times said India was standing out as a "provocateur" at a time when even Trump has soft-pedalled on the issue. The editorial further stated: "High-level visits between India and Taiwan are not very frequent, so why did India invite the Taiwan delegation to visit at this time?" It also accused New Delhi of deliberately trying to rile Beijing by raking up issues that are sensitive to the Chinese mainland. The Taiwanese delegation's visit last week was the first one since pro-independence President Tsai Ing-wen swept to power last year. Brothers in arms? India and Taiwan have enjoyed a steady relationship over the years much to Beijing's chagrin. Though diplomatic relations have mainly stayed off radar, Taiwan currently has Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre located in New Delhi. India's office in Taiwan is called India-Taipei Association. Taiwan has been a hot potato for Beijing as it considers the country to be a part of the mainland. Beijing's 'One China principle' views Taiwan to be an inalienable part of a single China. But its 'One-China policy' is slightly different as Beijing states that countries having diplomatic relations with them must not engage with Republic of China, also known as Taiwan. Recently, the United States bore the brunt of China's ire when Donald Trump became the US president to phone his Taiwanese counterpart since 1979. In the 1970s, the US had decided to adhere to the 'One-China policy' by closing its embassy in Taiwan. Diplomatic relations between the two sides were skewered when Trump called up Tsai to congratulate his election win. But days after hectic diplomatic jostling, Trump affirmed that the US would abide by the 'One-China policy'. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Taiwan team's India visit raises China's hackles

India Thursday hit out at China for its remarks that there was no consensus over the US&rsquo; proposal to ban Pathankot attack mastermind and JeM chief Masood Azhar at the UN, saying if there is a change in the Chinese position, there will be a consensus as well.&nbsp;

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup also said the matter has been taken up with the Chinese Ambassador here and a similar demarche is being made in Beijing.

Observing that the proposal was not moved by India but by three permanent members of the UN Security Council &ndash; the US, the UK and France, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup described it as a &ldquo;classic counter-terrorism proposal&rdquo; and hoped that China will also come around to accept this view.

&ldquo;It is our understanding that this was a classic counter- terrorism proposal meant to proscribe a dreaded terrorist leader Masood Azhar whose organisation the Jaish-e-Mohammad has already been proscribed by the UN 1267 Committee.

&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t view this as a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan but as an issue of global counter-terrorism. We hope that eventually, China will also come around to accepting this view. Obviously, if there is a change in the Chinese position, there will be consensus also,&rdquo; he said.

India&rsquo;s sharp reaction came a day after China defended its decision to block the US-initiated proposal in the UN fordesignating Azhar as a global terrorist, saying the &ldquo;conditions&rdquo; have not yet been met for Beijing to back the move.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang had also told a media briefing in Beijing that his government resorted to this move to allow the &ldquo;relevant parties&rdquo; to reach a consensus.

&ldquo;We put out technical hold after we had several rounds of consultations with India. We hope relevant parties have enoughtime to consult with each other to make sure that the decision made by the Committee will be based on consensus representing the broad international community,&rdquo; he said.

Swarup also said the proposal was submitted on January 19 after induction of four new members to the UN Security Council.

China has put a &ldquo;hold&rdquo; on the US-initiated proposal, which comes barely weeks after India&rsquo;s bid to get Azhar banned by the UN was scuttled by Beijing last December. This has prompted India to take up the matter with the Chinese government. 
 
(PTI)

India said the only country that was opposing its move to designate Masood Azhar a terrorist was China

India Thursday hit out at China for its remarks that there was no consensus over the US’ proposal to ban Pathankot attack mastermind and JeM chief Masood Azhar at the UN, saying if there is a change in the Chinese position, there will be a consensus as well. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup also said the matter has been taken up with the Chinese Ambassador here and a similar demarche is being made in Beijing. Observing that the proposal was not moved by India but by three permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, the UK and France, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup described it as a “classic counter-terrorism proposal” and hoped that China will also come around to accept this view. “It is our understanding that this was a classic counter- terrorism proposal meant to proscribe a dreaded terrorist leader Masood Azhar whose organisation the Jaish-e-Mohammad has already been proscribed by the UN 1267 Committee. “We don’t view this as a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan but as an issue of global counter-terrorism. We hope that eventually, China will also come around to accepting this view. Obviously, if there is a change in the Chinese position, there will be consensus also,” he said. India’s sharp reaction came a day after China defended its decision to block the US-initiated proposal in the UN fordesignating Azhar as a global terrorist, saying the “conditions” have not yet been met for Beijing to back the move. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang had also told a media briefing in Beijing that his government resorted to this move to allow the “relevant parties” to reach a consensus. “We put out technical hold after we had several rounds of consultations with India. We hope relevant parties have enoughtime to consult with each other to make sure that the decision made by the Committee will be based on consensus representing the broad international community,” he said. Swarup also said the proposal was submitted on January 19 after induction of four new members to the UN Security Council. China has put a “hold” on the US-initiated proposal, which comes barely weeks after India’s bid to get Azhar banned by the UN was scuttled by Beijing last December. This has prompted India to take up the matter with the Chinese government. (PTI)

India slams China for saying 'no consensus' at UN to ban Masood Azhar

China&#39;s official media today warned India against using the Dalai Lama &quot;card&quot;, saying New Delhi should stop behaving like a &quot;spoilt kid&quot; and learn lessons from how China handled Donald Trump after the US President-elect challenged &#39;One-China&#39; policy.

&quot;Sometimes, India behaves like a spoilt kid, carried away by the lofty crown of being &#39;the biggest democracy in the world&#39;. India has the potential to be a great nation, but the country&#39;s vision is shortsighted,&quot; an article in the state-run Global Times said.

It said India &quot;should draw some lessons from the recent interactions between Beijing and Trump over Taiwan&quot;.

&quot;After putting out feelers to test China&#39;s determination to protect its essential interests, Trump has met China&#39;s restrained but pertinent countermeasures, and must have understood that China&#39;s bottom line - sovereign integrity and national unity - is untouchable,&quot; the paper said.

While the article did not elaborate on counter measures, China besides protesting to Trump over his phone call to the Taiwanese President and his comments questioning One-China policy, also seized an &quot;unmanned underwater vehicle&quot; in the disputed South China Sea, the first such incident in the area.

The drone was returned subsequently after protests from US and Trump, an incident seen as an attempt by China to flex its muscles ahead of the President-elect taking over office next month.

The drone operated by a US survey vessel in the South China Sea was seized by a Chinese navy ship.

&quot;Even the US would have to think twice before it messes with China on such sensitive problems, so what makes India so confident that it could manage?,&quot; the article sounding strident in it tone and tenor said, referring to India going to Mongolia&#39;s assistance by granting USD one billion aid after Beijing imposed a blockade in retaliation to Ulaanbaatar hosting Dalai Lama last month despite China protests.

The Mongolian Ambassador to India had sought New Delhi&#39;s help to overcome China&#39;s counter measures. However, the Mongolian government has given in and pledged that it will never invite Dalai Lama again.&nbsp;

(PTI)

The article also warned India against using the 'Dalai Lama' card

China's official media today warned India against using the Dalai Lama "card", saying New Delhi should stop behaving like a "spoilt kid" and learn lessons from how China handled Donald Trump after the US President-elect challenged 'One-China' policy. "Sometimes, India behaves like a spoilt kid, carried away by the lofty crown of being 'the biggest democracy in the world'. India has the potential to be a great nation, but the country's vision is shortsighted," an article in the state-run Global Times said. It said India "should draw some lessons from the recent interactions between Beijing and Trump over Taiwan". "After putting out feelers to test China's determination to protect its essential interests, Trump has met China's restrained but pertinent countermeasures, and must have understood that China's bottom line - sovereign integrity and national unity - is untouchable," the paper said. While the article did not elaborate on counter measures, China besides protesting to Trump over his phone call to the Taiwanese President and his comments questioning One-China policy, also seized an "unmanned underwater vehicle" in the disputed South China Sea, the first such incident in the area. The drone was returned subsequently after protests from US and Trump, an incident seen as an attempt by China to flex its muscles ahead of the President-elect taking over office next month. The drone operated by a US survey vessel in the South China Sea was seized by a Chinese navy ship. "Even the US would have to think twice before it messes with China on such sensitive problems, so what makes India so confident that it could manage?," the article sounding strident in it tone and tenor said, referring to India going to Mongolia's assistance by granting USD one billion aid after Beijing imposed a blockade in retaliation to Ulaanbaatar hosting Dalai Lama last month despite China protests. The Mongolian Ambassador to India had sought New Delhi's help to overcome China's counter measures. However, the Mongolian government has given in and pledged that it will never invite Dalai Lama again. (PTI)

India behaves like spoilt kid, country's vision shortsighted: Chinese media

Chinese analysts believe India&#39;s decision to seal its border with Pakistan reflected a &quot;Cold War mentality&quot;&nbsp;as it would hurt bilateral trade between the two countries, Chinese newspaper Global Times reported.

&quot;India is&nbsp;making a very irrational decision, since no exhaustive investigation has been conducted after the Uri incident, and no evidence proves Pakistan is behind the attack,&quot; Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow of the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said.

Hu also felt that&nbsp;it was important for the Kashmir issue to be resolved soon.&nbsp;

Wang Dehua, director of the Institute for Southern and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Municipal Center for International Studies, also believes that sealing the border would heighten tensions between the countries. &quot;The country&#39;s decision reflects its Cold War mentality, and would only cause deeper hatred among residents living in Indian- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir,&quot; he said.

He also felt that getting China, Pakistan and India on one side would get difficult in future.

India is planning to completely close its border with Pakistan by December 2018 amid a&nbsp;surge in infiltration bids by jihadis.

Relations between India and Pakistan have hit a new low following the attack on an Indian Army installation in Uri, Kashmir, on September 18. Eighteen soldiers were killed in the attack by four heavily-armed men, who New Delhi believes were supported by Islamabad.

India subsequently conducted surgical strikes to eliminate terror launch pads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on the intervening night of September 28 and 29.

The rising ceasefire violations across the Line of Control (the border separating the two South Asian nations) has been cited by New Delhi as another reason to shut its 3,323-kilometre border. Recently, an unnamed senior Indian Army official said Pakistan was guilty of violating ceasefire 25 times since India launched the surgical strikes in the last week of September.

(WION)

&nbsp;

Chinese analysts reckon New Delhi's 'irrational' decision would hurt bilateral trade and 'cause deeper hatred' among Kashmiris

Chinese analysts believe India's decision to seal its border with Pakistan reflected a "Cold War mentality" as it would hurt bilateral trade between the two countries, Chinese newspaper Global Times reported. "India is making a very irrational decision, since no exhaustive investigation has been conducted after the Uri incident, and no evidence proves Pakistan is behind the attack," Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow of the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said. Hu also felt that it was important for the Kashmir issue to be resolved soon. Wang Dehua, director of the Institute for Southern and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Municipal Center for International Studies, also believes that sealing the border would heighten tensions between the countries. "The country's decision reflects its Cold War mentality, and would only cause deeper hatred among residents living in Indian- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir," he said. He also felt that getting China, Pakistan and India on one side would get difficult in future. India is planning to completely close its border with Pakistan by December 2018 amid a surge in infiltration bids by jihadis. Relations between India and Pakistan have hit a new low following the attack on an Indian Army installation in Uri, Kashmir, on September 18. Eighteen soldiers were killed in the attack by four heavily-armed men, who New Delhi believes were supported by Islamabad. India subsequently conducted surgical strikes to eliminate terror launch pads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on the intervening night of September 28 and 29. The rising ceasefire violations across the Line of Control (the border separating the two South Asian nations) has been cited by New Delhi as another reason to shut its 3,323-kilometre border. Recently, an unnamed senior Indian Army official said Pakistan was guilty of violating ceasefire 25 times since India launched the surgical strikes in the last week of September. (WION)

India's decision to seal Pakistan border reflects 'Cold War mentality'

Nepal&#39;s Maoist Prime Minister Prachanda sent one of his trusted lieutenants from the insurgency period as a special envoy to China on Monday, seeking to clear confusion over the future of agreements signed by his predecessor.

The envoy, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is a deputy premier in charge of finance and a China expert, will carry a message from Prachanda that his new government is keen to develop cordial relations with China despite recent political changes.

Prachanda, 61, who led a decade-long insurgency that ended a feudal monarchy, replaced communist KP&nbsp;Oli this month amid uncertainty about a slew of deals made by Oli during a visit to Beijing in March, including allowing Nepal to use Chinese railways, roads and ports to trade with third countries.

Those deals signaled a shift by the landlocked Himalayan nation away from its traditional reliance on overland trade with its southern neighbor India, which grew increasingly frustrated with Oli&#39;s rule.

&quot;There is no doubt that the new government will continue all positive agreements signed by the previous government,&quot; Mahara said before his departure.

Prachanda led the uprising in the name of the Chinese revolutionary leader, but it did not enjoy the overt backing of Beijing. The conflict ended in 2006 when the rebels laid down their arms under a peace deal.

Instability in the young republic - Prachanda is the eighth prime minister in as many years - has also raised doubts over a planned visit by Xi Jinping in October, which would be the first by a Chinese president in two decades.

Mahara said he was carrying an invitation from President Bidhya Devi Bhandari to the Chinese leader to come as planned.

Officials said Prachanda would send another deputy, Bimelandra Nidhi, a member of the Madhesi minority community, as an emissary to India this week to give reassurances that closer ties with Beijing would not come at the cost of New Delhi. 
 
Nepal&#39;s relations with India have remained frosty since it adopted its first republican constitution in September, triggering deadly protests by minority Madhesis in the south and leading to a border blockade the caused acute fuel shortages.

Officials said Nidhi would extend an invitation to President Pranab Mukherjee of India to visit Nepal before Xi is due to come. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited twice in 2014 but no Indian president has come since 1997.

&quot;Prachanda wants to balance ties with neighbors at the same time show to India that Nepal has not slipped out of its hands,&quot; said Guna Raj Luitel, editor of the Nagarik daily. 
 
(Reuters)

Prachanda engages in deft diplomacy to ensure clarity in China deal and erase the frostiness in India relations

Nepal's Maoist Prime Minister Prachanda sent one of his trusted lieutenants from the insurgency period as a special envoy to China on Monday, seeking to clear confusion over the future of agreements signed by his predecessor. The envoy, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is a deputy premier in charge of finance and a China expert, will carry a message from Prachanda that his new government is keen to develop cordial relations with China despite recent political changes. Prachanda, 61, who led a decade-long insurgency that ended a feudal monarchy, replaced communist KP Oli this month amid uncertainty about a slew of deals made by Oli during a visit to Beijing in March, including allowing Nepal to use Chinese railways, roads and ports to trade with third countries. Those deals signaled a shift by the landlocked Himalayan nation away from its traditional reliance on overland trade with its southern neighbor India, which grew increasingly frustrated with Oli's rule. "There is no doubt that the new government will continue all positive agreements signed by the previous government," Mahara said before his departure. Prachanda led the uprising in the name of the Chinese revolutionary leader, but it did not enjoy the overt backing of Beijing. The conflict ended in 2006 when the rebels laid down their arms under a peace deal. Instability in the young republic - Prachanda is the eighth prime minister in as many years - has also raised doubts over a planned visit by Xi Jinping in October, which would be the first by a Chinese president in two decades. Mahara said he was carrying an invitation from President Bidhya Devi Bhandari to the Chinese leader to come as planned. Officials said Prachanda would send another deputy, Bimelandra Nidhi, a member of the Madhesi minority community, as an emissary to India this week to give reassurances that closer ties with Beijing would not come at the cost of New Delhi. Nepal's relations with India have remained frosty since it adopted its first republican constitution in September, triggering deadly protests by minority Madhesis in the south and leading to a border blockade the caused acute fuel shortages. Officials said Nidhi would extend an invitation to President Pranab Mukherjee of India to visit Nepal before Xi is due to come. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited twice in 2014 but no Indian president has come since 1997. "Prachanda wants to balance ties with neighbors at the same time show to India that Nepal has not slipped out of its hands," said Guna Raj Luitel, editor of the Nagarik daily. (Reuters)

Newly elected Nepalese PM sends envoys to balance ties with China, India

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India says report claiming Chinese army killed 158 Indian soldiers 'baseless'

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Taiwan team's India visit raises China's hackles

India slams China for saying 'no consensus' at UN to ban Masood Azhar

India behaves like spoilt kid, country's vision shortsighted: Chinese media

India's decision to seal Pakistan border reflects 'Cold War mentality'

Newly elected Nepalese PM sends envoys to balance ties with China, India