China on Monday said it is building military infrastructure in Doklam because the region falls under its jurisdiction. Beijing was reacting to an interview by India's envoy Gautam Bambawale to Global Times in which he said it was essential for both sides not to alter the status quo at sensitive points along their border.

The military stand-off at Doklam was a "momentary hurdle" in Sino-India ties but maintaining status quo in the border areas is essential for both countries, India's Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale has said. In an interview to the state-run Global Times, the newly appointed envoy touched upon various aspects of bilateral ties and said Beijing needs to be "sensitive" to New Delhi's concerns over issues like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

China on Wednesday hailed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Davos speech against protectionism, saying the two countries can join hands in fighting such practice.

India and Japan have vowed to strengthen their strategic ties by increasing cooperation in the defense, robotics and AI sectors in coming years in response to Chinese regional ambitions and North Korea’s nuclear plans.