Come up with better arrangement for peace: US tells India, China

The US was expressing concern over the standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in the Sikkim sector.

The United States said Tuesday it was “concerned” by the border standoff between India and China and urged the two countries to work together to settle it amicably.

A man walks inside a conference room used for meetings between military commanders of China and India, at the Indian side of the Indo-China border at Bumla, Arunachal Pradesh, November 11, 2009.(Reuters)

“I know that the United States is concerned about the ongoing situation there,” US state department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in response to a question at the daily briefing.

“I know we believe that both parties, both sides should work together to try to come up with some better sort of arrangement for peace,” she added.

Chinese and Indian soldiers have been locked in a face- off in the Doklam area of the Sikkim sector for more than a month.

The US has largely kept silent on the standoff which started mid June and the remarks on Tuesday came in response to a question.

There was no response from the White House to a request for comments on the standoff till the writing of this report.

China has claimed its troops were constructing a road within its territory in the Doklam plateau, demanding the immediate pull-out of Indian troops. However, New Delhi has expressed concern over the exercise, conveying to the Chinese government that the construction would represent a significant change of status quo with serious security implications. (with inputs from agencies)