China on Monday offered to open talks with India to resolve differences on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), opening the door for removing a major irritant in New Delhi-Beijing ties.

“We are ready to work with the Indian side through dialogue and communication for a better solution. This best serves the interests of the two countries,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, when asked to comment on remarks on CPEC by India’s Ambassador to China, Gautam Bambawale.

In an interview with Global Times last week, Mr. Bambawale had proposed a new phase of dialogue between India and China, which would cover all differences including CPEC.

Asked to comment on China’s alleged newly developed military infrastructure in the Doklam area, as shown in recently published satellite pictures, Ms. Hua reiterated Beijing’s stock response that Donglang (Doklam) was China’s sovereign territory, and Beijing had a right to build infrastructure in the area.