Doklam Issue

The 2017 China–India border standoff, also known as the Doklam Issue, was a military standoff between the Indian Armed Forces and the People’s Liberation Military of China over the Chinese construction of a route in Doklam, next to the Donglang trijunction boundary, or Dongliang Caochang. On June 16, 2017, Chinese forces armed with construction transit and road-building machinery started extending an entire road southward in Doklam, a region claimed by both China and India’s ally Bhutan. As part of Operation Juniper, some 270 armed Indian forces with two bulldozers made way across the Sikkim border into Doklam on June 18, 2017, to prevent Chinese forces from completing the road.

Despite a military standoff with India, China has expanded its border facilities all along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The People’s Liberation Army or PLA road construction in China is constructing housing units and connecting roads to motorways as part of its buildup.

According to the most recent sources, PLA road construction has built at least eight roads from China’s G219 highway to the LAC. These connect the saltwater lake Tianshuihai in the Xinjiang area to the Galwan valley and Kangxi War in the southwestern Xinjiang province of China to the Karakoram Pass. Connecting roads have also been built north-south along these lateral roads.

Both India and China have Border Conflicts

1. The Western Sector Dispute—The Aksai Chin sector is included in this. China claims this region, which was previously part of  Jammu and Kashmir, as part of its self-governed Xinjiang region. It is now ruled by China following the 1962 conflict. It is known as the second-largest border area of Indo-China, comprising about 38,000 square kilometres. It is, however, unpopulated land. India claims possession of the entire Aksai Chin region along with Shaksgam valley
2. Central Sector—Despite China’s recognition of India’s sovereignty over Sikkim and the start of trade at the Nathu La crossing, the Doklam incident could cause problems on all fronts
3. DISPUTED Eastern Sector—The Arunachal Pradesh border, which China still claims as its own, is the most disputed area, comprising over 90,000 square kilometres. It was officially known as the North-East Frontier Agency. The People’s Liberation Army occupied it during the 1962 war, but they declared a unilateral ceasefire and retreated while respecting the international boundary. It has, nevertheless, maintained its claim to the territory. China now claims practically the whole state of Arunachal

After-war Border Clashes between India and China

• There have been multiple incidents where Chinese troops have entered the Indian side, and Indian troops have entered the Chinese side
• Nonetheless, the Indo-China border has remained mainly quiet, with the exception of two bouts of military combat in 1967, first at Nathu La and secondly at Cho La
• It all started when the PLA attacked Indian positions at Nathu La. The conflict at Nathu La lasted five days, whereas the conflict in Cho La concluded on the same day

• The result was more favourable to India because they could return the Chinese military, and hence the 1967 conflicts are viewed as a success for India

What Really is the Recent Doklam Issue?

• The assertive stance of China on Doko La (Doklam) and India’s strong warning in response is the latest source of concern in Indo-China ties
• It began when India (Indian Armed Forces) objected to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China’s road construction on the Doklam plateau, which was claimed by China as a part of the Donglang province. However, it is recognised as Doklam, a Bhutan region, by India and Bhutan
• Later, China accused India of invading its land, and India accused China of damaging its bunkers
• Following that, China halted pilgrims travelling via Sikkim’s NathuLa crossing on their way to Kailash Mansarovar. The path, which was opened to pilgrims in 2015, is a superior alternative to the Lepu-Lekh route across Uttarakhand
• Following that, both India and China boosted their force presence, and there has been a war of words, particularly from the Chinese official media
• Although a military conflict was avoided, diplomatic efforts have brought few benefits in terms of calming tensions over the border

Other Disagreements Between India and China 

The present stalemate is the climax of several issues between India and China, and ties between the two sides have deteriorated in the last 2 to 3 years. Among them are:

1. India’s admission to the UN Security Council and the Nuclear Suppliers Group
2. India’s stance on the OBOR
3. Intensification of India-US relations
4. Tibet and the Dalai Lama
5. Masood Azhar’s Case.

Conclusion

Good neighbour relationships are critical for a country’s stability and well-being. If India is to detach economically from China and acquire the capacities and capabilities it requires in manufacturing and supply chain networks closer to home, it cannot be a short-term prisoner. It is time for India to take a bold long-term approach on this region and its South Asia policy.

India cannot continue to be “reactive” to Chinese provocations; instead, it must take an active stance. Because India’s options concerning China are limited by military force disparity, recourse must be sought in realpolitik. This would push China to rethink its strategy and get into talks with India.