Beijing (July 5, 2017): China has warned that the withdrawal of Indian troops from disputed territory was a precondition for peace as tensions rise in a border row between the two Asian powers that has drawn in tiny Bhutan.
Indian and Chinese troops are reportedly facing off on a section of land high in the Himalayas near what is known as the tri-junction, where Tibet, India and Bhutan meet.
China has alleged that the Indian troops are on its soil, but both Bhutan and India say the area in question is Bhutanese territory.
India, which has a military presence in Bhutan, says its troops approached a Chinese army unit that entered the Doklam area of the Himalayan nation on June 16 and tried to build a road.
Chinese ambassador to New Delhi, Luo Zhaohui, said Indian troops should “unconditionally pull back to the Indian side”. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Beijing has “repeatedly made such requests”.
Bhutan, one of the world’s smallest countries, has said the construction of a road on its territory is “a direct violation” of agreements with China.
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