As special representatives’ mechanism has so far failed to resolve the ongoing eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation with China in Sikkim sector, the Indian Army is gearing up for a prolonged standoff in the Doklam area near the Bhutan tri-junction. An indication to this came from reports that Indian soldiers deployed in the area have pitched tents and are being provided a steady supply of essential items.
Given the scenario, the Indian troops are unlikely to back off unless the Chinese take step to end the stand-off at an altitude of around 10,000 feet in the Sikkim sector. China has all along said that India must pull back its troops as a precondition to end the stand-off.
News agency PTI quoted official sources to say that a steady line of supplies was being maintained for the soldiers at the site, signaling that the Indian Army is not going to wilt under any pressure from China. At the same time they sounded confident of finding a diplomatic solution to the stand-off, citing resolution of border skirmishes in the past through diplomacy.
Though China has been aggressively asserting that it was not ready for any “compromise” and that the “ball is in India’s court”, the view in the security establishment in New Delhi is that there cannot be any unilateral approach in defusing the tension.
Both the countries had agreed to a mechanism in 2012 to resolve border flare-ups through consultations at various levels. The mechanism has not worked so far in the current case in Sikkim sector as the stand-off near the Bhutan tri-junction, triggered by China’s attempt to build a road in the strategically important area, has dragged on for over three weeks.
New Delhi has already conveyed to Beijing that such an action would represent a significant change of status quo with “serious” security implications for India. The road link could give China a major military advantage over India.
Doka la is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Doklam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.
China and Bhutan are engaged in talks over the resolution of the dispute in the area. India argues that since it is a tri-junction involving the three countries, it also has a say in the issue, specially in the backdrop of the 2012 agreement between special representatives of the two countries, that have till now held 19 rounds of talks.
Bhutan has no diplomatic ties with China. As a close friend and neighbour, Bhutan enjoys diplomatic and military support from India.
Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim.