Doklam standoff: US urges direct dialogue between India, China to resolve issues

Indian border guards foiled an incursion attempt by Chinese soldiers on Tuesday.

The US on Wednesday said it wants India and China to sit down and have a direct dialogue to resolve their issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping listen to a speech during the BRICS Leaders Meeting with the BRICS Business Council in Goa, on July 24, 2017. (AP File Photo)

The US’ remarks came a day after Indian border guards foiled an attempt by Chinese soldiers to enter Indian territory along the banks of famous Pangong lake in Ladakh.

The latest skirmish comes at a time when India and China are locked in a face-off in the Doklam area of the Sikkim sector. The standoff has been ongoing for more than 50 days, after Indian troops stopped the Chinese Army from building a road in the area.

“We are encouraging both parties to sit down and have a direct dialogue,” State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at a news conference.

Nauert was responding to questions on the skirmish between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Ladakh and continued standoff in Doklam area.