India, China's positive approach helped resolve Doklam standoff: Rajnath

Joshimath (Uttarakhand) [India], Sept. 30 (ANI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the deadlock in Doklam was resolved because of India and China's positive approach.

Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a tense border stand-off for over two months at Doklam, near the Sikkim-Tibet-Bhutan tri-junction, but on the afternoon of August 28, both China and India agreed for expeditious disengagement of border personnel at the face-off site.

Rajnath, who is on four-day visit to Uttarakhand, earlier in the day celebrated Dussehra with Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans at Joshimath.

He visited ITBP's Rimkhim post near India-China border and also met jawans who donated blood at a camp in ITBP Headquarter in Joshimath.

"I came here to celebrate Dusshera with the jawans and it should be mistaken or taken into some other context. There was a deadlock in Doklam but we succeeded in resolving issue through dialogue. India and China had positive approach. The perception differences can be resolved through mutual dialogue," he told media here.

"I had decided to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Dussehra with the Para military forces. We offered prayers with ITBP jawans in Jyotirmath and also wished them on auspicious occasion," he added.

He went on to say that no power in the world can stop the ITBP jawans from protecting India's borders.

He further hailed the jawans for performing their duties efficiently despite of unfavourable situation at the border.

"We are proud of our jawans. They perform their duties in spite of difficult circumstances here. They have overcome all the difficulties physically and mentally. May God give them more strength to conquer all the difficulties," he added.

The Union Home Minister further urged the jawans to maintain brotherhood and friendship with the Indians residing at borders.

"The Indians living at border are not ordinary citizen but strategic assets of our country," he added.

Rajnath started his four-day visit to Uttarakhand on Monday. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI