Question : Indo-China Border Issue

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that China has recently released a map showing the ‘Donglang’ region in the Sikkim sector as its territory and to support claim it has shown Indian troops trespassing the Chinese boundary;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government of India on such moves of the Chinese authorities;

(c) whether such steps of the China’s PLA and others have created tension in the region particularly at Indo-China border and is in violation to Indo-China Border agreement; and

(d) if so, one details thereof and the corrective steps the Government has taken or proposes to take to defuse tensions on Indo-China borders?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) to (d) Government has seen such reports. Government’s position in this matter is clear and consistent.

On 16 June 2017, a large construction party of the People’s Liberation Army of the People’s Republic of China entered the Doklam area of Bhutan. The Royal Government of Bhutan in a Press Statement issued on 29 June 2017 has stated that ‘it has conveyed to the Chinese side, both on the ground and through diplomatic channel, that the construction of the road inside Bhutanese territory is a direct violation of the agreements’ between China and Bhutan signed in 1988 and 1998. Royal Government of Bhutan has asked that the status quo as before 16 June 2017 be maintained.

Government of India has also conveyed to the Chinese side that their actions in Doklam area amount to a significant change in the status quo which is not in consonance with the bilateral understandings reached between India and China under the framework of the Special Representatives on the Boundary Question since the Doklam area is directly relevant for determination of the tri-junction point between India, China and Bhutan.

Government of India has maintained constant communication with the Royal Government of Bhutan.

Government of India is also engaged with the Government of the People’s Republic of China through the diplomatic channels to maintain peace and tranquillity in accordance with various bilateral Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding, Protocol and joint statement of 1993, 1996, 2003, 2005, 2012 and 2013 and is committed to finding an amicable resolution acceptable to concerned countries.