China raises ‘major problems’ as Doval meets China’s top diplomat

By Gaurav Sharma

Beijing, July 27 (IANS) Amid the dragging border row, China on Thursday raised "major problems" in ties with India as its top diplomat Yang Jiechi held talks with Indias National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on the sidelines of the BRICS security summit.

The two met "separately" and exchanged views on bilateral relations, according to China's official news agency Xinhua.

It was immediately not known whether they discussed the border stand-off between the two armies that has entered its second month at Doklam on the Sikkim section of their border.

China's State Councillor Yang separately met senior security representatives from South Africa, Brazil and India and "set forth China's position on bilateral issues and major problems", Xinhua said.

Yang also separately exchanged views with the three senior representatives on "bilateral relations, international and regional issues and multilateral affairs, and set forth China's position on bilateral issues and major problems".

The stand-off between India and China at Doklam has become a major issue of contention, with some experts fearing it could lead to a war.

At the tri-junction of India, Bhutan and China, Doklam is of high strategic importance to all three. It is disputed by Bhutan and China.

India calls Doklam Bhutan's and perceives any Chinese presence in the area as a threat to its own security.

The genesis of the dispute lies in a road being built by the Chinese Army in Doklam. Indian troops halted the work in June, leading to the crisis.