War can't resolve problems, diplomatic talks can: Sushma on Sikkim standoff

New Delhi: Amid the Doklam standoff, India on Thursday pitched for patiently finding a solution through bilateral talks, with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj saying in Rajya Sabha that war cannot resolve problems.

Articulating the government’s position with eloquence during a discussion, Swaraj  lambasted Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, without naming him, for meeting the Chinese ambassador on the Doklam situation recently, without first ascertaining facts from the Indian government.

The minister said India’s “concerns emanate from Chinese actions on the ground which have implications for the determination of tri-junction boundary point between India, China and Bhutan, and the alignment of the India-China boundary in the Sikkim sector”.

She referred to a ministry of external affairs (MEA) statement of June 30 which made it clear that Indian troops had entered Doklam — which both India and Bhutan consider as Bhutanese territory — after Bhutan approached India in the wake of road-construction by the Chinese Army.

“War cannot resolve problems. So wisdom is to resolve (it) diplomatically.

War is not a solution to anything. Even after war, there has to be a dialogue. So, have dialogue without a war... Patience, control on comments and diplomacy can resolve problems,” Swaraj said, in what is being seen as a dig at China’s repeated threats and warnings directed at India.

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a face-off at Doklam for the past about six weeks. Swaraj was replying to the Opposition’s allegation that the government did not  have a stable foreign policy. The Opposition also asked the government to spell out its roadmap to deal with China.The minister said, “We are maintaining patience and controlling comments.”

She was replying during a discussion on “India’s foreign policy and engagement with strategic partners” during which members voiced concern over the stand-off and raised questions over India’s policy.

“We will keep patience to resolve the issue,” Swaraj said, adding,  “We will keep engaging with China to resolve the dispute”.

Criticising Gandhi, she said that the leader of the main Opposition party, “instead of asking the Indian government about the (Doklam) situation, chose to ask the Chinese ambassador (instead)”.

She added, “You (Congress) should have first sought details from the government and then confronted the Chinese envoy.”

In response to questions about India’s military readiness, she said the Army is trained to fight wars.

Reading out a separate prepared text on the Doklam issue, Swaraj said, “Our relations with China have recently come under renewed focus due to developments in the Doklam area in the Sikkim sector close to the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction point... Our concerns emanate from Chinese actions on the ground which have implications for the determination of tri-junction boundary point between India, China and Bhutan and the alignment of the India-China boundary in the Sikkim sector... The Chinese action in the Doklam area is, therefore, of concern.”

Swaraj said boundary disputess in the Sikkim sector are yet to be settled along with other issues like nuclear suppliers group (NSG) and the blocking of UN sanctions against Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit chief Masood Azhar.

The Chinese side has selectively quoted parts of (India’s first) Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s letter of March 22, 1959, pertaining to the India-China boundary in the Sikkim sector, she said.India believes that peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas is an important pre-requisite for smooth development of bilateral relations. “We will continue to engage with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels to find a mutually acceptable solution on the basis of the Astana consensus between our leaders,” she said

“In this regard, in keeping with the unique and traditional friendship with Bhutan, we will also continue to maintain close consultation and coordination with the Royal Government of Bhutan,” the minister said.