Ideal outcome of Doklam standoff

We welcome the end of the more than two-month long standoff following a disengagement understanding on Doklam between India and China. We are relieved to see that diplomacy has worked to ease tensions and thank both parties for reverting to the status quo ante. We congratulate both countries for displaying diplomatic maturity in resolving a situation that at one time looked like it was getting out of hand. We are sure we echo the sentiments of all the South Asian countries when we say that the final dénouement of the current impasse was what one expected of countries with tested diplomatic acumen.

Chinese Foreign Minister's remark, "We hope through the efforts from both sides we will maintain healthy and stable momentum of growth. This is in the interest of not only Indian and Chinese people, but also meets the aspirations of the international community" acknowledges the concern with which other countries viewed the development.

It was not just another dispute between two neighbours, since it involved a third country directly. For Bangladesh, along with all South Asian countries, this matter was of more than a passing interest because of the potential of a military flare-up inherent in the territorial dispute. Had it led to that, Bhutan and indeed most of the countries in the region could have been caught squarely in it. It was important for all the countries of the region that a lessening of tensions between India and China occurred because they are the two biggest regional nuclear powers and the last thing one wanted to see was a conflict taking place over land dispute.

The current example of defusing of the tension is a pointer that whatever dispute two neighbours may have can be settled through negotiations. That is something all countries can take cue from.