India in 2017 is different from 1962, just like China is also different

NEW DELHI (INDIA): China on Monday dismissed defence minister Arun Jaitley?s remarks last week that India of 2017 is different from what it was in 1962?when the two countries fought a brief but bitter war?warning that it too was different and that Beijing would take ?all necessary measures? to safeguard its territorial sovereignty.nnThe Chinese remark was in response to Jaitley?s comments made on Friday, which came in the backdrop of warnings from the Chinese media that India learn from ?historic lessons? of the past, that is, the 1962 war.nnThe heightening of rhetoric and tensions come amid a standoff between India and China in the Doka La area which is situated in the tri-junction between India, China and Bhutan. Chinese troops entered the area on 6 June with earth moving equipment to construct a road that India says is in violation of previous agreements that the competing claims over the region would be settled by India and China in consultation with Bhutan.nnMeanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping of China are set to cross paths in Hamburg at the G20 meeting of developed and developing countries on 7-8 July. It is not clear if the two leaders are meeting.nn?If they are trying to remind us, the situation in 1962 was different and India of 2017 is different,? Jaitley said on Friday, accusing the Chinese of triggering the current standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in the Sikkim sector.nnReacting to Jaitley?s remarks, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said: ?He is right in saying that India in 2017 is different from 1962, just like China is also different.?nnThe border between the two nations in the Sikkim sector is well demarcated under the 1890 Sino-British Treaty, Geng said. ?I would like the Indian side to respect the 1890 treaty immediately and pull back the border troops which have crossed into Chinese territory back to the Indian side of the boundary.?nn?China will take all necessary measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty,? he added.nnIndia?s contention is that while the status of Sikkim as part of India is settled, the state?s border with China has not been demarcated and is not therefore a clear border. The Chinese action of trying to build a road in the area therefore has serious implications for Indian national security, the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday.nnChina, for its part has accused India of illegally entering its territory.nnGeng said India was using Bhutan as a ?cover? for its ?illegal entry? into the Doka La area. ?In order to cover up the illegal entry of the Indian border troops, to distort the fact and even at the expense of Bhutan?s independence and sovereignty, they try to confuse right from wrong, that is futile,? he said. China has ?no objection to normal bilateral ties between India and Bhutan but firmly opposed the Indian side infringing on Chinese territory using Bhutan as an excuse,? Geng said.nnAsked whether any talks are on between India and China to resolve the Sikkim standoff, Geng said, ?After the illegal entry took place, China has lodged solemn representations at different levels with the Indian side in Delhi and Beijing.?nn?The line of diplomatic communication between two sides is open and smooth.?nnSource: Press Trust of India