China occupies North Doklam: Should India be worried?
It seems last year's 73-day Doklam standoff hasn't affected Chinese resolve. Reportedly, China has increased its troop presence and construction activity in North Doklam near the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction. This was even as Army Chief Gen assured that bilateral bonhomie has returned to the same level that existed before the stand-off. However, he assured that India is extremely vigilant. What does it mean for India?
What was the 73-day India-China standoff?
A Sino-India deadlock occurred in Doklam during June-August last year. Significantly, this impasse began after Indian Army asked China to halt road construction there. The atmosphere cooled after both the countries agreed to pull back their troops and China promised to stop road construction.
Now, what do the latest reports indicate?
The Print reported that satellite-images from December 10, 2017 show that China has taken control of the disputed Doklam plateau's northern side. The images reportedly show concrete posts, seven helipads, and many armored vehicles near the spot of previous impasse. One construction is reportedly "concrete" and there were several "non-permanent camouflaged structures." One has to take these reports by The Print, with a pinch of salt, though.
What does Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat have to say?
Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat isn't worried. He claimed that Chinese have undertaken some infrastructure development, but "most of it is temporary in nature." Though troops have returned and infrastructure remains, it is unclear whether Chinese have come back or they haven't been able to take away their equipment due to winter, he maintained. He, however, said India would remain prepared.
But, isn't North Doklam Chinese territory?
But, national security analyst Nitin Gokhale has claimed that North Doklam, where they have been shoring up weaponry, is actually Chinese territory. Thus, Chinese presence has always been there. Gokhale also said that, "Had Chinese not shored up their presence there, he would have been surprised." He further indicated that India also has a permanent presence there, just like the Chinese.
But, why is China building up arsenal?
But, these arguments raise pertinent questions: Why is China building up arsenal in North Doklam? Or is it that both the countries have stepped-up force levels in their own territories near the tri-junction? Should we be worried? Only time will tell.
