Engaging with China to peacefully resolve issues: India on Trump's offer

A day after US President Donald Trump offered to mediate between India and China over the two countries’ border dispute, New Delhi on Thursday (May 28) said it was engaging with Beijing to “peacefully resolve” the issue.

“Our engagement on the diplomatic front continues both in Delhi as well as in Beijing,” said Anurag Srivastava, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs. He further said the two countries have engaged both at the military level as well as diplomatic levels.

India and China have signed several protocols on maintaining peace at the border, and many agreements have been made on this issue, reported NDTV.

Related news: Trump offers to mediate between India, China over border dispute

“Our troops have taken a very responsible approach towards border management and strictly followed protocols. They scrupulously follow the guidance provided by our leadership. At the same time, we will defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the spokesperson added.

Trump had on Wednesday offered to mediate after a stand-off between the troops of the two countries along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in North Sikkim and Ladakh. Several areas along this region have witnessed major military build-up by both the sides recently.

“We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!,” Trump had tweeted. He had earlier made multiple offers to meditate between India and Pakistan as well, but New Delhi had rebuffed such offers.

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force inducted its Chinook heavy-lift helicopters at the Mohanbari airbase in Assam in an effort to bolster its capability to deploy troops and machines rapidly at remote places including the borders with China, reported news agency ANI.

(With inputs from agencies)