WEB DESK
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has called on both China and India to de-escalate tensions and peacefully resolve their Himalayan border dispute.
“These are two large countries and I don’t want to begin to think about the conflict that could happen if this results in a real military escalation,” Maas told DW. “That’s why we are trying at all levels on both sides to bring about de-escalation,” he said.
Maas said Germany was unlikely to directly involve itself, but added that it was using its influence to dissuade a military clash.
“I don’t think that Germany needs to get involved everywhere as a mediator. But we are sitting on the UN Security Council and we will take on the presidency in July,” he said. “I believe the expectation in the international community is that countries like India and China should not get embroiled in a conflict that would not only affect those two nations, but also the entire region.
“And that’s why we are doing what we can to influence both sides with the clear message to deescalate this conflict and avoid a further escalation, especially a military one.”
Over the past few weeks, Chinese and Indian troops have been locked in aggressive posturing at multiple locations along the two nations’ de facto border, known as Line of Actual Control (LAC), raising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
While a skirmish this week left 20 Indian soldiers dead, China has refused to confirm if it suffered any casualties.