The Doklam Standoff.
The latest incident began when a PLA contingent, armed with earth moving heavy equipment, entered the Doklam plateau. They drove to an area, named ‘Turning Point’, which is apparently very close to the Indian post of Doko-La on the India-Bhutan border. Besides it is 15 km as crow fly from the Siliguri corridor, in dangerous Arty Range; the Chinese also consider Doklam as strategically very important, as it overlooks the Chumbi valley separating the Indian state of Sikkim from Bhutan. China has built roads on higher reaches of Bhutanese territory in the past, but had not come down this far south before.
When the Chinese PLA soldiers were spotted in that area, the Bhutanese soldiers at a border post called Chela on the Zompelri ridge, went to confront them and had a relatively long conversation to make them return to their previous positions. The message that was conveyed – which was also reiterated in Bhutan’s June 20 démarche – is that China was attempting to change the status quo on the border, which was in direct violation of the 1988 and 1998 agreements between the two countries.But with the number of Chinese soldiers being much greater, the Bhutanese soldiers were pushed back. In the meantime, Indian soldiers came down from Doko-La post.
By the time the Indian soldiers came down, the Bhutanese had gone out of the area and the Combat Soldiers of the two Asian giants found themselves in a face-to-face situation, which is continuing till now. The Indian Army has now even pitched tents and has decided to settle there for a longer period till the Chinese pull back permanently.
At ground zero of the present stand-off, both sides have apparently been calm and courteous, employing loud speakers and banners to put forward their point. In contrast, the tone was shrill in Beijing, with the Chinese foreign ministry and the PLA issuing almost daily statements. The Chinese PLA spokesperson even asked India to remember the “Lessons of History” – referring to the 1962 war, in a reaction to an earlier statement of the Indian Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat of 08 June 17.
The Chinese Army has not fought any war since last 38 years, and therefore the present lot of Chinese soldiers are not as battled hardened as the Indian Army. The Chinese bluff therefore, that they would teach similar lesson to India as in 1962, is not based on any logic or military strength. The Chinese have been applying such bullying techniques/tactics to gobble smaller Nations all throughout the globe. Now with Modiji as Indian PM the situation is different and the Chinese should be aware that Modiji has always made the best and has come out victorious from all the crisis he has faced till date. China should also not forget that the rate of her economic growth has started slowing with fears of an impending hard landing of her economy
China has also been criticized by US and the Western world for her unfair trade practices, including artificial currency devaluation, intellectual property theft, protectionism, and local favoritism due to one-party oligopoly by the Communist Party of China and its socialist market economy.
China Is Miffed By India's Refusal To Be Part of OBOR
By India refusing to be part of China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) and not even sending a representative, like Japan and the US did, India hurt China's ego. A stand-off like Doklam was only expected. There are multiple reasons for, and messages coming through the Doklam standoff.
China was very keen that India be part of OBOR. In response to India's unhappiness over the CPEC (Chinese Pakistan Economic Corridor), its ambassador even offered to rename the CPEC, an offer that was later withdrawn.
By consistently reiterating that the CPEC passes through Jammu and Kashmir, which India rightfully considers its own territory, India upset China further. A country that is used to having its own way was taken aback by this Show of Spine.It is unhappy with India's moves to simultaneously build relations with the US, Russia, Japan, Germany, France, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Israel.
It is therefore China and Pakistan want to keep India tied down at the border and with the internal problems. With Modi government's response to Pakistan, be it ceasefire violations or stoking mass protests in the Valley, the duo realized that a new front had to be opened. No better place than Chumbi Valley and Bhutan in the east. China therefore selected a place Doklam a place between Tibet-Bhutan border for forced incursion. This China did because it was upset with Bhutan's refusal to establish diplomatic relations with it and her toeing India's line. Through this incursion, it gives Bhutan a message that Bhutan's only hope is China because the Indians would not come to their aid.
China was fearing Indian PM Modiji diplomatic response, therefore it decided to deflect attention from its forceful occupation of Tibet by saying it could question India's annexation of Sikkim. At the same time is a threat that Chinese support to Sikkim's independence could provoke Sikkimese people and compound India's problems in the North-East. If India had buckled under Chinese pressure, then Nepal gets the message that only China matters in the Himalayas.
Ladies and Gentlemen of India, China is extremely worried of India grabbing the fastest growing economy in the world tag. Worried of India's growing military weapon purchases and preparedness, her def forces getting battle hardened everyday. Worried of Modiji development agenda and reforms. Worried of the world powerful countries understanding and aligning with India. This is hurting the Chinese ego.
The only danger India faces is from parties like Congress, Communists, Mamata, Owasi and likes of Lalu and Ajam Khan, the few Desh Drohi's of India.
Today China's Embassy claimed that Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi met Ambassador Luo Zhaohui to "exchange views on the Current bilateral relations" and to discuss Doklam Military Stand Off between India and China.
