"India is Capacable and Ready to defend itself" Sushma Swaraj

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Speaking in Rajya Sabha today over the months-long border standoff with China in Sikkim's Doklam area, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj issued a stern warning to Beijing, saying India is well equipped to defend itself. 

"Over the years, China has been trying to get closer and closer to where the tri-junction point ends. It has done things like repair roads, re-tar them and things like that," Sushma Swaraj said 

 "This time though, they came with bulldozers and construction equipment with the aim of breaching the point where the tri-junction ends. That is a threat to our security," said Swaraj.

"The global community is supportive of India's stance," Swaraj added. Swaraj's statement came a few hours after reports emerged that Bejing was not keen on bilateral talks with India over the contentious issue. 

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Tuesday, "We have stated many times that we hope the Indian side will get a clear understanding of the situation (and) immediately take measures to withdraw the troops that illegally crossed the border back to the Indian side of the border." India, on the other hand, has not sought any bilateral meeting from the Chinese side. 

Both sides are playing by the ear. If there is any indication of de-escalation and a window of opportunity opens up, the two sides might reconsider a meeting between the Special Representatives.

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