press trust of india
Beijing, July 24: Amid the Sikkim stand-off, China Monday hinted that a bilateral meeting between state councillor Yang Jiechi and national security adviser Ajit Doval could take place on the sidelines of a BRICS NSAs’ meet here this week.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang, during a briefing, left the door open for talks between Doval and Yang by saying that he cannot confirm it but in the past meetings of BRICS NSAs, the officials have held bilateral meetings.
“I don’t have relevant information you mentioned right now. As far as we know during the previous meetings, the host countries arranged for the heads of the delegations to hold bilateral meetings in which they exchanged views on bilateral relations, BRICS cooperation and multilateral affairs,” Lu said when asked whether there would be a bilateral meeting between Yang and Doval. Doval is set to travel to Beijing this week to attend the BRICS NSAs’ meeting scheduled to be held July 27 and 28. Both Doval and Yang are special representatives of the two countries in the boundary talks. While replaying to a question about Doval’s schedule in Beijing, external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay had last week said that if there are any further developments in his programme then the media will be informed.
Asked whether the Doklam stand-off will figure in the BRICS NSAs’ meeting since the agenda included discussion on regional hotspot issues, Lu said, “China and India enjoy smooth diplomatic channels”.
“The Indian border troops illegally crossed into China’s territory. We once again urge India to pull back its troops. I want to stress again that this is the precondition for any meaningful talks between the two sides,” he said.
INSET:
China defends repatriation
Beijing: China Monday defended its repatriation of North Koreans who have escaped across its border after a United Nations envoy voiced concern about increasing detentions and expulsions. Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, said last week he had shared his concerns with Chinese officials in recent months. But foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Monday that “the persons who illegally trespassed into China are not refugees” and would be handled according to “international law and humanitarian need”. “We hope relevant people can abide by principles in the UN charter to respect normal law enforcement on the Chinese side,” Lu told a regular press briefing. Ojea Quintana said Friday he was “alarmed by a surge in detentions and forced repatriations of North Koreans” who are caught in China after making it across the border.
