Himalaya border standoff between India, China ends

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI

India and China have agreed to withdraw their respective armies from the disputed border area of Doklam in the Himalyas after a standoff of more than two months.

Indian External Affairs Ministry in a statement issued on Monday said that troops were “disengaging” at Doklam after an agreement has been reached between both the countries.

“In recent weeks, India and China have maintained diplomatic communication in respect of the incident at Doklam. During these communications, we were able to express our views and convey our concerns and interests,” said the ministry. “On this basis, expeditious disengagement of border personnel at the face-off site in Doklam has been agreed to and is ongoing”.

The standoff began mid-June when India opposed the construction of a road by China at the border. Following a request by neighbor Bhutan, India deployed troops on the border.

New Delhi has since accused Beijing of trying to change the status of the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction, and ruled out unilateral withdrawal of Indian troops.

Both nuclear powers have had border disputes in the past.