Chinese state media divided over outcome of Doval’s visit

Beijing, July 25

Ahead of NSA Ajit Doval’s visit, China’s state media struck two different notes with the China Daily hopeful of a peaceful resolution to the deadlock with India while the Global Times said the “main schemer’s” trip wouldn’t sway Beijing.

In its editorial, ‘It’s never too late for India to mend its way’, China Daily pressed for exploring ways to avoid confrontation.

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The Global Times editorial, ‘Doval visit won’t sway China over border standoff’, said Beijing would not talk until Indian troops were withdrawn.

Doval is to visit China for a meeting of NSAs from BRICS countries--Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa--on July 27-28. He is expected to discuss the standoff with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

Both officials are also the Special Representatives of their countries for the boundary talks.

The military standoff began on June 16 after the Chinese army tried to build a road near the Bhutan trijunction. India has protested the construction of the road, fearing it would allow China to cut India’s access to its northeastern states.

“There are still hopes that the deadlock can be resolved peacefully, which serves both countries’ best interests,” the China Daily said.

Doval’s visit is “hoped” to “carry on that slight shift in India’s previously bellicose stance”, it said, referring to Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar’s recent comments that both the countries should not let their “differences become disputes”.

“The two sides need to explore ways to avoid confrontation. It would be damaging to both countries and regional stability if India cannot use its reason and wisdom to avoid the military collision both countries are currently on course for,” it said.

But the Global Times, part of the Communist Party’s publication group, said in its editorial that Beijing will not “talk” until Indian troops were withdrawn.

“As Doval is believed to be one of the main schemers behind the current border standoff between Chinese and Indian troops, the Indian media is pinning high hopes on the trip to settle the ongoing dispute,” the daily said.

“New Delhi should give up its illusions, and Doval’s Beijing visit is most certainly not an opportunity to settle the standoff in accordance with India’s will,” it said.

It added that India should not take lightly Monday’s comments by the Chinese Defence Ministry that New Delhi should not “harbour any illusions” and withdraw troops.

The two editorials come a day after the Chinese Foreign Ministry hinted that a bilateral meeting between Doval and Yang could happen on the sidelines of a BRICS NSAs’ meet.

India has maintained that both the countries withdraw troops from the disputed area and resolve the issue through talks. PTI