Nathula shut, China willing to discuss alternative routes

The Chinese embassy here on Thursday said China was willing to discuss the possibility of alternative arrangements through other routes for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims who had planned the journey via Nathula Pass, suggesting that the mountain pass in Sikkim was not open anymore for the pilgrimage.

In a statement, spokesperson of Chinese embassy in India Consular Xie Liyan said, "The official yatra through Lipuleku Pass and non-official yatra through Lhasa and Purang are still on the rails."

"Indian yatra to Kailash and Manasrovar is an important part of China-India people-to-people and cultural exchanges...The two sides agreed that a total of 350 yatris in seven batches would take part in yatras to Xizang through Nathula Pass this year," she said.

"However, days before the departure of the yatris the Indian border troops crossed into the Chinese territory and obstructed the Chinese border troops' normal activities in Doklam. To ensure the safe and smooth visit of Indian yatris, China has to halt their entry into Xizang through Nathula Pass," she said. The spokesperson also said the Chinese side had notified the Indian side through diplomatic channel.

"China consistently respects the Indian people's religious sentiments and attaches importance to" the pilgrimage," she said.

While the statement alleged that the Indian border troops crossed into the Chinese territory, India has maintained that it was "deeply concerned at the recent Chinese actions and has conveyed to the Chinese government that such construction would represent a significant change of status quo with serious security implications for India". Later, the Chinese Embassy also issued a video of a briefing by its political Counselor Li Ya on the latest development in Doklam area.

In the video, Li reiterated China's position that withdrawal of Indian troops from the area was a pre-condition for any meaningful dialogue between India and China.

"According to statistics of Xizang authority, the Chinese side received about 1,000 official yatris and more than 10,000 non-official yatris every year. The Indian government and people from all walks of life have expressed appreciation and gratitude to the efforts by China," the Chinese embassy statement said.

The border standoff between armies of India and China at the Sikkim sector can be resolved diplomatically and Chinese soldiers should leavew the Bhutanese territory to reduce tension in the area, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said on Thursday.

"I think the issue can be resolved at the diplomatic level. The Chinese troops should stay where they were earlier. China is approaching towards Bhutanese territory. We want them not to come forward.

"This is our security concern and this is our stand.

Bhutan's King had yesterday given a statement that Chinese (troops) are entering into its territory. This tension can be resolved at the diplomatic level. Across the table we can solve all the problems," Bhamre said.

Bhamre's comments came on a day China accused India of "trampling" on the principles of the Panchsheel pact and demanded that India "correct its mistakes" by pulling back its troops immediately.

Chinese envoy to India Luo Zhaohui had yesterday said China had ruled out a compromise in the military standoff with India and put the onus on New Delhi to resolve the "grave" situation.

China and India have been engaged in a standoff in the Dokalam area near the Bhutan trijunction for the past 19 days after a Chinese army's construction party came to build a road.

Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.

China and Bhutan are engaged in talks over the resolution of the area. Bhutan, however, has no diplomatic ties with China and it is supported militarily and diplomatically by India.

On the standoff, the Ministry of External Affairs had said India was "deeply concerned at the recent Chinese actions and has conveyed to the Chinese government that such construction would represent a significant change of status quo with serious security implications for India".