No reduction in troops at Dokalam: India

TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ India has not reduced its troops in Dokalam, senior government officials has said, rebutting China’s claim that the number of Indian security personnel at the tri-junction has come down. They also asserted that there was a “status quo” at the Dokalam for past six weeks.

The strong rebuttal came after Chinese foreign ministry issued a document, saying the number of Indian troops was 40 by end of July from 400 in June. “Over 400 people at one point, have put up three tents and advanced over 180 metres into the Chinese territory.

As of the end of July, there were still over 40 Indian border troops and one bulldozer illegally staying in the Chinese territory,” the document said. Countering Chinese contention, sources here maintained that around 350 Indian Army personnel have been in Dokalam for last six weeks after China tried to build a road in the area, triggering the standoff.

China also said that it has conveyed its firm stand to India that it must take “concrete actions” by immediately pulling back troops from Dokalam with “no strings attached” to resolve the current standoff. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj last month had said that both sides should first pull back their troops for any talks to take place.