Doklam
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India has maintained that both sides should withdraw simultaneously for any dialogue on the issue, and asserted that war was not a solution. | India has maintained that both sides should withdraw simultaneously for any dialogue on the issue, and asserted that war was not a solution. | ||
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Revision as of 23:29, 29 August 2017
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
Contents |
Territorial conflict zone between China and India
Doklam standoff: Confrontation to compromise in 70 days, Aug 29, 2017: The Times of India
In a diplomatic victory, India and China have agreed to "expeditiously disengage" from the stand-off in Doklam on Bhutanese territory after 72 days, with China agreeing to New Delhi's insistence on simultaneous withdrawal for a resolution. Here is how the Doklam standoff unfolded:
WHAT CAUSED THE STANDOFF?
China's road building in Doklam, Bhutan, violated pact between India and China. It posed threat to India's strategic interests.
WHAT'S THE AGREEMENT?
1. "Mutual disengagement of troops" to restore status quo
2. Indian troops withdraw to post at Doka La. They continue to occupy vantage point on top of ridge and can keep an eye on the Doklam bowl, less than 500 metres away
3. China will not renew road building that led to the confrontation. MEA says both sides had moved out "under verification"
WHAT DID CHINA SAY?
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said India had "pulled back all the trespassing personnel and equipment to the Indian side of the boundary. Chinese troops continue to exercise sovereignty and territorial integrity."
She also said, "China will make adjustments with the situation on the ground" and "will continue to develop friendly relations with India."
WHAT LED TO THE RESOLUTION?
1. Despite its war talk, China was disadvantaged on lower ground. It would have found ground harder to hold once it began to snow in September-end.
2. Though China's infrastructure is better, India has closed the gap with its troops closer to the border.
3. Armed conflict could have resulted in high casualties without clear winners.
4. Chinese leadership was keen to resolve row ahead of crucial party conference later this year, where Xi Jinping is expected to get another 5 years as China's leader.
5. China was keen on a smooth BRICS summit and India was also keen to iron out glitches before PM Modi visits Beijing early next month.
6. The wording of the Chinese statement appears to be a bid to placate hawks within China, who were insistent that nothing short of an Indian withdrawal would be acceptable to Beijing.
August 2017: Resolving the crisis
How India achieved the breakthrough
Intensive parleys continued between NSAs of India, China quietly away from the public glare over telephone lines along with diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
HIGHLIGHTS
1. The withdrawal of troops comes days before the BRICS Summit
2. NSA Ajit Doval played a key role in resolving the crisis
3. India and China have been locked in a standoff since June 16
A crisis of unprecedented scale, the Doklam standoff which ran for about two-and-a-half months, ended on time before it could embarrass the leadership of both India and China at the BRICS summit which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend. The 9th annual BRICS summit will take place in China's Xiamen on September 3-5.
According to top government sources, the discussion on the breakthrough started when the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met his Chinese counterpart, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, in Beijing during the BRICS meeting in July 27-28.
The parleys continued between the two NSAs quietly away from the public glare over telephone lines along with diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Modi had decided that NSA Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi would talk to defuse the tension. The NSA and his equivalent met and had a long meet in Hamburg.
Further movement happened during the Beijing meeting. Foreign Secretary Jaishankar and Indian Ambassador to Beijing Vijay Gokhale took the issue forward. Today Modi who had pushed the be diplomatic but stand firm line received a final briefing before the withdrawal order from Doval.
Withdrawal began after flag meeting between 2 colonels of Indian and Chinese army. Flag meeting will be held in few days to decide on withdrawing from other positions India and China are occupying, according to sources.
After Doklam, Yatung and Phari Dzong are to be cleared after further discussion.
Now the Chinese have agreed to not build the road further in the Doklam area and withdraw its troops from there. Troops of India and China were locked in a bitter standoff in Dokalam since June 16 after Indian troops stopped the Chinese army from building a road in the disputed area. It also appears that the Indian side also made PM Modi's visit to the BRICS summit conditional as India wanted to resolve the issue. Indian Army's tough stand in the standoff also helped in putting pressure on China which was made to understand that India will not back off so easily without its demands being accepted.
The Chinese have now agreed to completely withdraw their troops from the area.
This is being termed as major victory of Modi's national security team including both civilian and military diplomacy. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj recently said both sides should first pull back their troops for any talks to take place, and favoured a peaceful resolution of the border standoff.
Relations between the two nations had dipped to a new low over the standoff at Doklam, with the Chinese side refusing to withdraw. Beijing had accused India of transgressing into its territory and demanded immediate withdrawal of Indian troops. The Chinese side, especially the state media, since then had been on an offensive, and on occasions issued veiled threats of war.
India has maintained that both sides should withdraw simultaneously for any dialogue on the issue, and asserted that war was not a solution.
