No change in status quo at Doklam face-off site: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj

Swaraj said the informal summit between PM Modi and Xi Jinping, last month, was very successful as all its aims were achieved.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj (File | PTI)

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday said there was no change in status quo at the face off site in Doklam and asserted that a major outcome of last month's informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jingpin was enhancing of mutual trust between the two countries.

Swaraj, addressing a press conference to mark the fourth anniversary of the NDA government, said there were apprehensions that the Doklam standoff would not be be resolved without the two neighbouring countries going to war.

However, she, said both sides managed to resolve it through dialogue and diplomacy.

"The global community appreciated India for being able to resolve the Doklam standoff with China through dialogue and diplomacy," she said.

Swaraj said there were apprehensions that the standoff would not be resolved without the two neighbouring countries going to war.

"There has been no change in the situation at the Doklam faceoff site. Status quo is continuing," Swaraj said, replying to a question on the issue.

Asked about reports that some devotees at Kailash Mansarovar in China were not being allowed to take a holy dip in the lake there, Swaraj said it was not correct.

She said there has been a designated area for taking holy dip in the lake and it continues to be so.

"There is always a designated place where any devotee can take a bath. You cannot take bath in any part of lake," she said.

Hundreds of Indian pilgrims undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra every year.

Swaraj said the informal summit between Modi and Xi was very successful as all its aims were achieved.

"The aim of the informal summit was to improve easiness in ties, enhance mutual understanding between the two countries on global issues and improve mutual trust. And we achieved all these three objectives," she said.

Swaraj said Xi had told Modi to call him up whenever he wants to talk to him.

Prime Minister Modi also told the Chinese president that whenever he wants know his views on any issue, he can call him up, she said.