India-China agree to withdraw troops, end Doklam standoff
The months-long standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam is coming to an end with both sides agreeing to withdraw their troops. India said the development was reached through diplomatic talks. "On this basis, expeditious disengagement of border personnel at the face-off site at Doklam has been agreed to and is on-going," the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
What is the Doklam standoff?
Since June, Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged in a standoff along the LAC in Doklam situated at the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction area near the Sikkim border. Doklam is Bhutanese territory and Indian soldiers were deployed there on Thimpu's invitation. Both India and China have mobilized troops in mass numbers, raising concerns of military conflict between the two Asian giants.
MEA's official statement
Terms of agreement to withdraw troops remain unclear
The MEA said in a statement that both "India and China maintained diplomatic communication in respect of incident at Doklam." "We were able to express our views and convey our concerns and interests," it added. However, it remains unclear under what terms did both countries agree to withdraw their troops at Doklam. The withdrawal comes after weeks of belligerent rhetoric by Beijing.
Doklam resolution eases Sino-Indian agenda at upcoming BRICS Summit
The resolution of the Doklam crisis comes as a relief for PM Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to Xiamen, China, for the BRICS Summit. This would ease Sino-Indian tensions, helping set the agenda for bilateral talks between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit. It's possible that Russian President Vladimir Putin could mediate to help solve Sino-Indian issues.
