BEIJING, July 24 - China said today that it will safeguard its security interests at �any cost� as its sovereignty was �indomitable�, amid a standoff with India in the Sikkim sector.
Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian made this assertion ahead of this week�s National Security Advisors� (NSA) talks to resolve the standoff.
Maintaining China�s hardline stance on the issue, Wu told a media briefing that the willingness and resolve of China to defend its sovereignty was �indomitable�.
�China will safeguard its security interests at any cost. India should not leave things to luck and not harbour any unrealistic illusions,� he said ahead of the 90th anniversary of the People�s Liberation Army (PLA).
Commenting on the over a month-long military standoff between the troops of the two countries at Doklam area in the Sikkim section, Wu urged India to �correct its mistake�.
Stating that the PLA has taken emergency measures in the region and continues to increase focused deployments and drills, he said, �We strongly urge India to take practical steps to correct its mistake, cease provocations, and meet China halfway in jointly safeguarding the border region�s peace and tranquillity.�
His comments came as NSA Ajit Doval is set to travel to Beijing this week to attend the BRICS NSAs meeting scheduled to be held from July 27-28 during which he is expected to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. Both Doval and Yang are Special Representatives of the two countries in the boundary talks. � PTI
