Russia takes neutral stance over India-China Doklam standoff
What's the story
Russia has taken a neutral stance on the recently resolved Doklam standoff between Indian and Chinese troops. This was visible in a recent statement by Russia's ambassador to Beijing, Andrey Denisov, who said that the Doklam standoff was regrettable. He said India and China, both Russia's friends, would resolve it without external mediators. Russia maintains close relations with both India and China.
28 Aug 2017
India-China agree to withdraw troops, end Doklam standoff
On August 28, the standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam came 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.
Statement
What the Russian ambassador said
"The situation in the India-China border is something that we all regret," Denisov had told journalists just hours before New Delhi and Beijing announced an end to the Doklam standoff. "We think our Chinese and Indian friends can resolve the problem by themselves and don't need any mediators," he added. "We can say that Russia is using its goodwill to both of these countries."
Russian diplomacy
Russia must maintain diplomatic balancing act with India, China
Denisov's statement came amid China's reported attempts at persuading Moscow to support its stance against India. Russia must play a fine balancing act with India and China, with whom it shares deep diplomatic, economic and defense ties. His statement came ahead of the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China, where Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Indian PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.