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Chinese roads into disputed Bhutanese territories did not come up overnight but it has been happening since two decades.
In the past Bhutan raised objections and discussed it in the National Assembly.
China stopped in some cases but patrolled areas already built by it.
Chinese roads into disputed Bhutanese territories did not come up overnight but it has been happening since two decades.
In the past Bhutan raised objections and discussed it in the National Assembly.
China stopped in some cases but patrolled areas already built by it.
In Doklam China similarly built roads into a disputed territory claimed by both countries long ago.
Bhutan had issued demarches for these.
Bhutan continued to patrol these places.
The 2017 standoff happened as Chinese soldiers tried to extend the road to the Zompelri ridge.
Bhutan had issued demarches for these.
Bhutan continued to patrol these places.
The 2017 standoff happened as Chinese soldiers tried to extend the road to the Zompelri ridge.
The area before Zompelri ridge has a Royal Bhutan Army outpost.
Bhutan during the standoff did issue a demarche on the road being extended.
The result of the stand off is that this road to the Zompelri ridge could not be extended.
The situation is still the same.
Bhutan during the standoff did issue a demarche on the road being extended.
The result of the stand off is that this road to the Zompelri ridge could not be extended.
The situation is still the same.
Whatever the old or new encroachments or enhancements the crucial fact remains that the strategic Zompelri ridge does not have any Chinese road to it or any presence on it except for Bhutanese soldiers patrolling around it.
Now there are a few who are questioning Bhutan on these roads.
But Bhutan since 90’s has refused to do a border deal with the main sticking point being the location of the trijunction with Bhutan claiming it up north at Batangla while China claims it to be lower at Gyemochen.
But Bhutan since 90’s has refused to do a border deal with the main sticking point being the location of the trijunction with Bhutan claiming it up north at Batangla while China claims it to be lower at Gyemochen.
Many know Bhutan was offered a ‘package deal’ from 90’s which is a swap for the Doklam area for bigger concessions in north central Bhutan by the Chinese but Bhutan declined it.
Most don’t know it was rejected on grounds of Indian security interests at the Trijunction & ridge.
Most don’t know it was rejected on grounds of Indian security interests at the Trijunction & ridge.
Subsequently negotiations carried on but always failed around the trijunction point.
At one point China seemed willing to be accept a much smaller claim in Doklam meaning a much narrower Doklam with the trijunction still at Gyemochen.
However, this too fell through.
At one point China seemed willing to be accept a much smaller claim in Doklam meaning a much narrower Doklam with the trijunction still at Gyemochen.
However, this too fell through.
It fell through due to non agreement on the trijunction.
As India has found in its dealings with China the Chinese position over time only hardens more & it anyhow continues to build infrastructure in areas claimed by it.
The failure of talks so far seems to be leading to this.
As India has found in its dealings with China the Chinese position over time only hardens more & it anyhow continues to build infrastructure in areas claimed by it.
The failure of talks so far seems to be leading to this.
2 things are clear.
The 1st is that as the boundary talks are essentially stuck over the trijunction, the old style of kicking this can down the road no longer seems to be acceptable to the Chinese who are no longer patient.
2nd, the 2017 standoff has majorly changed things.
The 1st is that as the boundary talks are essentially stuck over the trijunction, the old style of kicking this can down the road no longer seems to be acceptable to the Chinese who are no longer patient.
2nd, the 2017 standoff has majorly changed things.
Given Bhutan’s refusal to concede in the talks or even agree to compromises by China we are now paying a price
China has laid an unprecedented and unjustified new claim in a large chunk of eastern Bhutan that dwarfs both the current dispute areas.
It’s encroachments carry on.
China has laid an unprecedented and unjustified new claim in a large chunk of eastern Bhutan that dwarfs both the current dispute areas.
It’s encroachments carry on.
The Bhutanese public would prefer a peaceful and settled border with China.
At the same time Bhutan will not impinge on what India perceive as its security interests given our close ties.
The Chinese obviously seem to be losing patience and are only getting stronger & tougher.
At the same time Bhutan will not impinge on what India perceive as its security interests given our close ties.
The Chinese obviously seem to be losing patience and are only getting stronger & tougher.
Stonewalling has its limits & is clearly not helping.
One does not know if it is possible any longer but it would be helpful if all sides keep an open mind to explore a solution that is acceptable to all sides, does not impinge on core security interests & prevents a standoff.
One does not know if it is possible any longer but it would be helpful if all sides keep an open mind to explore a solution that is acceptable to all sides, does not impinge on core security interests & prevents a standoff.
The unresolved border situation will have consequences.
With Bhutan under increasing pressure there will be public questions on the border.
An unresolved Doklam can be a future flashpoint for India and China.
Such a flash point may lead to a larger rivalry or conflict.
End
With Bhutan under increasing pressure there will be public questions on the border.
An unresolved Doklam can be a future flashpoint for India and China.
Such a flash point may lead to a larger rivalry or conflict.
End
