China says situation at India border 'overall stable and controllable' 

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, during a media briefing here, said that China's position on the border-related issues is clear and consistent.

NEW DELHI: In its first reaction after two stand-offs at the Line of Actual Control between Indian and Chinese troops on May 5 and May 9, China on Wednesday said the situation at the LAC was ‘stable and controllable’.US President Donald Trump added a bit of drama to the situation by offering to mediate between India and China to settle the ‘raging border dispute’.

“We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!” Trump tweeted.He had in the past made multiple offers of mediation between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir tangle, only to be promptly rejected by New Delhi, saying there was no scope for a third nation in what was essentially a bilateral dispute.

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In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said: “We are committed to safeguarding our territorial sovereignty and security, and safeguarding peace and stability in the border areas. Now the China-India border area situation is overall stable and controllable.” Experts saw it as a conciliatory gesture.Hours later, Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong, in a webinar, said both nations are not each other’s threats but opportunities. “The Dragon and the Elephant can dance together.”

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“China and India are fighting together against Covid-19 and we have an important task to consolidate relations. Our youth should realise the relation between China and India, the two countries are opportunities for each other and pose no threat,” the Chinese envoy said.

Several areas along of the LAC have been witnessing enhanced military activity on both sides following a face-off between the troops in Ladakh and Sikkim. India has maintained that its troops did not do any activity on the other side of the border and blamed China for hindering its normal patrolling operations.