China bound to be a future threat to India, says Army Vice Chief

New Delhi/Beijing: A section of the Chinese state-run media on Tuesday accused NSA Ajit Doval of being the “main schemer” behind the deployment of Indian troops in Doklam, even as Indian Army Vice-Chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Chand said China is expanding its influence across the Himalayas and is bound to be a “threat” in future.

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi, meanwhile, said that India should “conscientiously withdraw” its troops from Doklam for a “simple” solution to the standoff. “The rights and wrongs are clear. Indian officials have stated that Chinese troops did not enter Indian territory.”

Reports say Chinese troops entered Bhutan’s territory
Foreign policy observers in New Delhi, however, point out that Chinese troops have entered Bhutanese territory in Doklam which India is obliged to protect due to the special relationship between India and Bhutan. 

Beijing is therefore seen by foreign policy-watchers in New Delhi to be cleverly deflecting the issue.

Ahead of NSA Ajit Doval’s visit, China’s state media struck two different notes with the China Daily hopeful of a peaceful resolution to the deadlock with India while the Global Times said the “main schemer’s” trip wouldn’t sway Beijing.

In its editorial, ‘It’s never too late for India to mend its way’ the China Daily pressed for exploring ways to avoid confrontation.

The Global Times editorial, part of the Communist Party’s publication group, ‘Doval visit won’t sway China over border standoff’, said Beijing would not talk until Indian troops were withdrawn. 

“As Doval is believed to be one of the main schemers behind the current border stand-off between Chinese and Indian troops, the Indian media is pinning high hopes on the trip to settle the ongoing dispute,” the daily said. 

“New Delhi should give up its illusions, and Doval'’ Beijing visit is most certainly not an opportunity to settle the stand-off in accordance with India’s will,” it said.