Nathula Pass: China halts pilgrims to Mansarovar.

China defends ally Pak over terror charges; says India meddling in Bhutan affairs

Mansarovar pilgrimage to be opened only after India rectify border errors

Agency Report | Beijing | 28 June, 2017 | 08:00 PM

A day after India and the US asked Pakistan to stop cross-border terror China strongly defended its 'all-weather' ally, making it clear that it was Islamabad that was at the frontlines of the fight against terrorism. The remarks came in response to the India-US joint statement issued after the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. China also accused India of meddling in Bhutan’s affairs and interfering in its road construction on land that clearly belonged to China. China has also stopped pilgrims from proceeding to Mansarovar since the dispute along the Sikkim border.

China on Wednesday strongly defended Pakistan, after India and the US asked Islamabad to ensure that its territory was not used for cross-border terrorism.

China also said Pakistan was “at the frontline” in the battle against terrorism and the international community should give due recognition to Islamabad.

“We are opposed to all form of terrorism. We have also clearly stated that we oppose linking terrorism with certain countries,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said.

“We have to say that Pakistan stands at the frontline of counter-terrorism fight and has been making efforts in this regard.

“We think that international communication against terrorism should be enhanced and stepped up and the international community should give full recognition to Pakistan in its efforts in this regard,” Lu added.

A joint statement released after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged Pakistan not to let its territory be used by terrorists for attacks on other countries.

The statement also urged Islamabad to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai, Pathankot and other cross-border terror attacks in India.

China has defended its “all-weather ally” Pakistan earlier as well. It has repeatedly vetoed India’s proposal to declare Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.
China also said that the stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops on the border smacked of New Delhi’s “hidden agenda” of meddling in Bhutan’s internal affairs.

Beijing said only India can judge if it was interfering in Bhutan’s internal affair by obstructing road construction in Donglong or Doklam, the disputed region between China and Bhutan where Indian and Chinese troops faced-off each other.

China has no diplomatic ties with Bhutan whereas India is said to have considerable influence.

Lu Kang said there was no dispute about Donglong which belonged to China and not to India or Bhutan.

“The region (Donglong) is part of China and is indisputable. It belongs to China from ancient times and it doesn’t belong to Bhutan.” Lu said.

The region is located at the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction where Chinese troops reportedly destroyed two Indian Army bunkers.

“If India wants to raise an issue on it, I would say it doesn’t belong to India and neither does it belong to Bhutan. We have a complete legal basis for this.

“Bhutan is an internationally recognised country and its sovereignty is to be respected. Even if the boundary is delimited, no third party should interfere and make irresponsible comments.”

Asked if he was referring to India, Lu said: “Only Indian side can judge if they are interfering with the internal affairs of Bhutan. If any third party out of hidden agenda interferes, it is disrespect to the sovereignty of Bhutan.”

China has accused Indian troops of “trespassing” its boundary and asked them to retreat. It has suspended the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet.

“The suspension of the same is an emergency response to the situation there. I want to stress that the resumption of pilgrims pass requires necessary atmosphere and conditions.” Lu said.

“So the liability of the same totally lies on the Indian side and when it will be reopened depends on the when or whether the Indian side will correct its errors.”

China on Tuesday said it had lodged diplomatic protests with India over the development. (IANS)