Border issue can be settled bilaterally, no need for third party: Beijing

NEW DELHI: A day after PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump talked about the India-China stand-off in Ladakh, Beijing reiterated that the issue could be settled bilaterally, and did not need a third party.
Answering questions, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, “At present, the overall situation in the China-India border areas is stable and controllable. On border-related issues, there have been sound mechanisms and channels of communication between China and India, and the two sides are capable of properly resolving relevant issues through dialogue and consultation. There is no need for any third party to intervene.”
On Tuesday, for the first time, Modi and Trump discussed the stand-off in a phone conversation. This came days after Trump offered to “mediate” between India and China, later saying he knew that Modi “was not in a good mood” about the Chinese incursions.
India has always refused to entertain any third party offers in bilateral disputes, mainly with Pakistan. This was the first time the US offered to mediate with China, at a time when US-China relations are at a historic low. India has firmly pushed back against US offers.
Zhao said, “China's position on the boundary issue is consistent and clear. We have been earnestly implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strictly abiding by the relevant agreements signed by the two countries, and committed to safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and security as well as peace and stability in the China-India border areas.”