Rajnath Singh hopes for Chinese move to resolve Doklam stand-off

Amidst provocative postured by Chinese People's Liberation Army and the Chinese media over the military stand-off in Doklam, along the Sikkim-Bhutan border,  home minister Rajnath Singh today said that he "was sure China will make a positive move" and that a "solution" to the ongoing conflict would be arrived at "soon".

Singh said he hoped the Doklam standoff between India and China will be resolved soon, even as he asserted that the country's security forces were capable of safeguarding our borders. Rajnath Singh said, ''India has neither expansionist designs nor attacked any country. We don't want confrontation; we want peace.''

Singh's statement comes after China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) carried out live-fire drills last week using tanks and helicopters, state-run Global Times reported.

The daily quoted a report by the China Central Television (CCTV) as saying that "10 PLA units, including aviation units and armoured [sic] forces, participated in the drills" conducted by the Chinese army's Western Theater Command responsible for regions bordering India.

Addressing a grand a piping ceremony of the ITBP today, the union home minister said India wanted friendly relations with all neigbhours. It was with this intention, he said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited leaders of all neighbouring countries for the swearing in ceremony of his government.

Quoting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Rajnath Singh said, ''we can change friends, but not neighbours.''

Pointing out that there has been a long delay in granting promotions in the ITBP which was pending since 2011, Rajnath Singh said the disciplined ITBP personnel have borne the delay with perseverance. He assured that the MHA will improve their career prospects, besides resolving housing and welfare issues of the CAPFs.

Speaking on the occasion, minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju said, ''Today's ceremony will serve as a morale booster to the ITBP personnel,'' adding that his ministry has reduced the gap between policy makers and those implementing it on the ground.

Addressing the gathering, DG, ITBP, RK Pachnanda said the mass promotions today to 1,654 ITBP personnel, pending for more than six years, have been enabled by the persistent efforts of the MHA.