July 13, 2017 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau
New Delhi: In an apprehensive state and leaving no stone unturned to strike a compromise on a persisting military stand-off with China in Sikkim sector the Indian government here on Wednesday called a meeting of top Opposition leaders on the pretext of sensitising them about the situation ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament that begins early next week.
The Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has personally called some Opposition leaders, requesting them to attend the said briefing on this issue. The meeting is likely to be organised at the residence of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, media sources said.
The current military stand-off has entered into its third week and has widely grabbed public attention. Even after strong statement issued by the Chinese side against alleged transgression of its border by the Indian army in Doklam region, the Indian establishment has adopted the policy of ‘silence is golden’.
Ironically, the Indian army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat known for his bullying remarks who earlier this year in February threatened the non-combatant Kashmiri population with use of force for pelting stones on them at encounter sites has become elusive these days as not a single word has been uttered by him in context of the ongoing military friction with China. Even the Indian political leadership has kept mum on this issue after Union Defence Minister Arun Jaitley was rebuked by Chinese leadership on his ‘We are not the India of 1962’ comment.
The other purpose of the meeting is said to help the Opposition parties calibrate their statements in Parliament so as to avoid making remarks that may impinge adversely against the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Meanwhile, a day after Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankar said differences between India and China should not become disputes, Beijing on Wednesday while extending its statement in which it has said that ”the army of third country can enter J&K on the request of Pakistan” has reiterated that it was willing to play a “constructive” role in improving relations between India and Pakistan in the backdrop of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressing concern over Kashmir, notes Indian Express (IE).
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Geng Shuang on Wednesday reportedly maintained that the ongoing stand-off between Chinese and Indian troops in Doklam was different from “previous frictions” between the two countries.
Mr Geng Shuang again repeated that India pull its troops back and “properly settle this incident”.
Furthermore, while responding to the question over the concern expressed by the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) over on going volatile situation in Kashmir Geng said, “The situation of Kashmir has drawn the attention of the international community. The conflict between the two countries along the Line of Control in Kashmir is neither conducive to their own stability and development nor regional peace and tranquillity.
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Related Topics: China, India China Relationship, Indo-China Relations, Kashmir, Kashmir Issue, Pakistan