India takes tough stand against China's offer to mediate in Kashmir

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay was quoted by NDTV: "We are ready to talk Kashmir with Pakistan, but no third party mediation...Our stand is absolutely clear. You are aware that the heart of the matter is cross-border terrorism emanating from a particular country that threatens peace and stability in the country, region, and the world."

As the border standoff with China snowballs into a big issue that the opposition finds handy to bash the Government, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has called an all-party meeting on Friday where she is expected to brief  them on the situation along with the attacks on Amarnath pilgrims in Kashmir which took place recently, reports said.

The meeting will be held at the residence of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh where several other Ministers, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will also be present.

Swaraj is likely to apprise the opposition parties of the month-long chain of events and the steps initiated by the Narendra Modi Government.

The Government move to convene the all-party meeting is being seen as a measure to take along side the opposition on the sensitive issue and avoid trouble in the next Parliament session.

The ongoing military standoff  has heightened tension at the Bhutan-India-China tri-junction in  Doklam, a disputed territory claimed by both Bhutan and China, where the Indian Army have reached to stop China from building a road.

Taking a serious note of the Chinese activities, Delhi has described it as a major  security concern  since it  gives China access to the narrow strip of land connecting  mainland India to its north-eastern states.

China has accused India of trespassing into its territory and demanded withdrawal of troops leading to a heated exchange.

While India and Bhutan  say the land belongs to the tiny Himalayan kingdom and that the Indian troops are there at the request of Bhutan, China has warned that it will not accept any dialogue till Indian soldiers pull out from Doklam.

The opposition, particularly the Congress,  has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the confrontation and the way the situation is being handled.

Regarding the attack on Amarnath pilgrims, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had accused PM Modi for the whole situation. "Modi’s policies have created space for terrorists in Kashmir. Grave strategic blow for India" he said on Twitter yesterday.

Image: File.