Doklam stand-off: Sushma Swaraj talks tough as Doval meets Chinese NSA

Even as visiting National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Thursday held talks with his Chinese Counterpart and State Councillor Yang Jiechi on the sidelines of the BRICS

NSAs meeting in Beijing in the wake of the Doklam stand-off, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told Parliament on India's stand on Tibet, "We used to earlier talk of One China policy, but we used to say that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. And when we say that, we want that China should also recognise this. Our policy has been made very clear." The comment conveys the Indian Government's stand that it will never compromise on the territorial integrity of India.

There is also a likelihood that Mr. Doval, along with other BRICS NSAs, may meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday. Later in the day in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India has an approach to "resolve issues through peaceful means".

On Thursday evening, the MEA said India would “like to strengthen the close development partnership” (with China) based on the Astana concerns, adding that Sino-Indian ties are a “factor of stability” for the region.

Foreign policy observers feel that despite Beijing’s belligerent rhetoric on the Doklam stand-off, New Delhi is also trying to keep the focus on positive, constructive issues while trying to find a peaceful solution to the Doklam stand-off. Ms Swaraj informed the Rajya Sabha that there is no quid pro quo with China on the issue of “sufferings” of the Tibetan people and stapled visas being given to Arunachal Pradesh residents by Beijing. On the issue of whether India remained a mute spectator towards the alleged atrocities in Tibet, the Minister said “We are not sitting as a mute spectator. Whenever there are differences, we raise them.”

She said the Dalai Lama wanted to visit Tawang and “we allowed him to do so”. She added, “Whatever issue that is there that goes against India’s interest, we lodge our protest.”

Meanwhile, in Beijing, Yang Jiechi met separately with senior security representatives from South Africa, Brazil and India, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Yang separately exchanged views with the three senior representatives on bilateral relations, international and regional issues and multilateral affairs, and set forth China’s position on bilateral issues and major problems, the report said, without giving further details. Both Doval and Yang are Special Representatives of the India-China border mechanism. Doval had arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to take part in the two-day BRICS NSAs meeting being hosted by Yang.