What’s the India, China Doklam standoff about?

[bluesky]

My apology to the Moderator. Since Doklam is very near to BD, it effects also the defence of BD. So, I have posted this news. Moreover, many of us are not aware how near the Chinese land is from BD. The maps here will help our people to know about it. I have also posted this news in the Indian Sub-forum, as well. Thanks.
@bluesky
What’s the India, China Doklam standoff about?
Tribune Desk

• Published at 08:04 PM July 23, 2017
• Last updated at 10:35 PM July 23, 2017

The international border at Nathu La Pass, in Sikkim
India’s concern is the protection of its vulnerable Siliguri Corridor aka ‘Chicken’s Neck’ a narrow stretch of land which connects mainland India with India’s north-east and if China builds this road, it will get closer to Doka La, the last Indian military post on its border with Bhutan and China
With the territorial tussle between India and China is at an all-time high in recent decades, the Indian soldiers are putting up a brave foot forward in what the China is illegally claiming to be their territory. And with China warning India of consequences bigger than those it borne in 1962, India seems all ready to face any kind of challenge put forward by the aggressor.

With nearly 300 Indian soldiers stationed at a meagre 100 metres away from the almost same number of Chinese soldiers at Doklam, the standoff has become a bone of contention between the two countries with none ready to back out.

It has been a month now since both armies standing against each other with barrels of guns down, at least for the time being.

Here is all about Doklam standoff, what led to it and why it’s critical for India and Bhutan.

Where is Doklam?
Doklam plateau is an 89 sq km pasture that falls close to dagger shaped Chumbi Valley at the corner of India-Bhutan-China tri-junction. Doklam is the point where the borders of all three nations-India, China and Bhutan meet.

How did it start?
Both China and Bhutan claim over Doklam as it’s a disputed territory. On the night of June 8, China initiated a manoeuvre in Doklam that would trigger a chain of events leading to the most dangerous standoff between India and China in recent years.

A PLA platoon is said to have removed two stone bunkers raised by the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) had constructed years ago and manned occasionally and went ahead with construction of a road. At the behest of Bhutan, Indian Army intervened and stopped the Chinese construction of the road.

Soon, the situation escalated and the impasse which was limited to some squabbles and arm twisting between armies of two sides turned into a standoff with 300 odd soldiers from each side facing each other with barrels down.

What are the Chinese allegations?
While China has accused India of infringing upon Bhutan’s sovereignty and to confuse right from wrong, India says that it has come to aid at Bhutan’s behest and would continue to assist the Himalayan Kingdom. But apart from just aiding Bhutan which doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Beijing, India has its own concerns to deal with.

“In order to cover up the illegal entry by Indian troops into the Chinese territory, Indian side wants to infringe upon Bhutan’s sovereignty and they try to confuse right from wrong. This is futile. We have no objection to normal bilateral relations between India and Bhutan but are firmly opposed to the Indian side infringing on Chinese territory using Bhutan as an excuse,” said Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson Geng Shuang.

India’s major concern
India’s concern is the protection of its vulnerable Siliguri Corridor aka ‘Chicken’s Neck’ a narrow stretch of land which connects mainland India with India’s north-east and if China builds this road, it will get closer to Doka La, the last Indian military post on its border with Bhutan and China.

If China builds a road there, it can easily mobilise its troops in the time of conflict to cut mainland India with its north-east.

Five possibilities from here on
With no country ready to back off, the experts believe that Doklam standoff has the potential of unleashing a full-fledged war between the Asian giants. But some are still hopeful of a peaceful solution to the issue. China has been adamant of India withdrawing its troops from the region and through its paper ‘Global Times’, the Chinese government has threatened India of consequences bigger than 1962. In reply, Indian Defence minister Arun Jaitley also has given a befitting reply that China shouldn’t mistake India as India of 1962.

With the war of words getting louder and both sides giving no quarter to retreat, the standoff can trigger a limited as well as a full-fledged war.

Here are the five things that can possibly happen during the current deadlock-

– India withdraws its security forces, China continues with the construction of the road which looks unlikely to happen.

– China withdraws its army unilaterally, India stays back which also look impossible citing China’s aggression over this issue.

– None side moves and deadlock continues. This would maintain a status quo and would be a repeat of 1987 Sumdorong Chu Valley in Arunachal Pradesh faceoff where both armies stood against each other for several months.

– Reaching diplomatic engagement and both sides withdraw which is perhaps the best solution to the issue.

– Escalation by China in other areas. China doesn’t any chance in a limited confrontation in Doklam as India’s position is too strong there. Therefore, it can open other fronts like Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and others. China has already threatened India of entering Kashmir at Pakistan’s behest.

– Finally, an all out war between two nuclear-armed nations.

Doklam issue certainly requires a diplomatic solution, but the posture that India has taken so far couldn’t be argued against because for far too long, India has played subservient to Dragon’s might. And if at all, India harbours the ambition to be a global power, it ought to face China at some point now or in future.

 

[bluesky]

Sorry, it was a double posting error.

 

[Banglar Bir]

ভারতের দুর্বলতা চিকেন’স নেক বা মুরগীর গলা : চীন কি পারবে তা দখল করতে ?

India's weakness Chicken's neck or chicken's throat: What can China do to capture it?

Chicken's neck or chicken throat, it is easiest to sling the chicken from the throat . From Bangladesh to Nepal, this neck has a narrow Siliguri corridor in India, known as Chicken's Neck or 'Chicken Neck'. Its magnitude is only 21 kilometers.

Seven Sisters of India or 7 states in the North-Eastern region will be completely separated from India if any can occupy this 21 km area. Note that seven states of India or Seven Sisters of the northeast have long been unwilling to accept Indian subordination. The movement of freedom struggle is very fierce in those areas; N-E States wants complete freedom from India, at any cost.

The Indians are highly perplexed over these armed freedom struggles. Recently, the situation has reached new the boiling point, in the present context. China has directly announced that there will be a war against India. For the past 19 days, China and India's troops are in a face-off position at Sikkim point. This warlike scenerio is the creation behind this situation, however, there is also the chicken’s neck to ponder about.

Current Standoff - China, is concentrating on constructing roads through a valley, inclusive of Bhutan and Sikkim province of India. There is saying that - the road to Doklem is the route, which the Chinese forces could invade, very close to Chicken's Neck.

Note that on August 26 last year, Ananda Bazar Patrika of India published the news - 'Chicken's neck' in China Nishan, India's huge preparation to save Siliguri. It is said in the news that the cause of India's concern has recently strengthened the Chinese President's two units of Chinese forces. One of these is the 77656 unit deployed in the Kumkhi valley of China, in the middle of the Sikkim province of India and Bhutan Ha district.

(Http://bit.ly/2br8Khj) and is the same formula that the Doklema road, the 77656 units increase the power of the unit and grab the chicken's virtue, saying it to the donkey.

Analysts - India's fear has greatly increased the number of controllers-

(1) Nepal is currently against India and in favor of China. Among the people of Nepal, there are widespread dissatisfactions. There is indeed no doubt that Nepal will provide 100% support to China when China-India war.

(2) Increasingly, India's rivalry between the people of Bangladesh Although Sheikh Hasina's government is in favor of India. But after a $ 24 billion deal with China, a few days ago, the government of India who took sides in the conflict between India and China, is a matter of grave concern.

(3) The condition of Indian military during the financial crisis is not good. Two reports are as under:

A) http://bit.ly/2tjRYbd, b) http://bit.ly/2tTsyTg

(4) Moral of Border Security Force of India BSF is very low asthe government does not let them eat properly. A few days ago a video of a BSF member became viral on Facebook (http://bit.ly/2tKPlQQ). It was also reported that BSF members have committed suicide due to these problems (http://bit.ly/2sJ2rOD).

Considering the above four factors, India's concern about chicken's goodness is to remain in India's concern. However, that India is worried about the factor (2), it can be understood from the fact that the recent anti-Chinese intellectual Farhad Mazhar has disappeared.

We are convinced from very reliable media that the presence of Farhad Mazhar in anti-India press conference in the previous day was the main reason for his disappearance. However, it is not true that India will not be able to kill anyone pro Chinese. India's intention was to convey a message only, before the pro-Chinese opposition in Bangladesh - "You will stop spreading Indian hatred in Bangladesh, or you will be wiped out."

চিকেন’স নেক বা মুরগীর গলা। গলায় টিপ দিয়ে মুরগীকে ধরাশায়ী করা সবচেয়ে সহজ । বাংলাদেশ থেকে নেপাল পর্যন্ত সে ভারতের সরু শিলিগুড়ি করিডোর আছে, তা চিকেন’স নেক বা ‘মুরগীর গলা’ নামে পরিচিত। এর দৈর্য্ মাত্র ২১ কিলোমিটার। এই ২১ কিলোমিটার এলাকা দখল করতে পারলেই ভারতের সেভেন সিস্টার বা উত্তর-পূর্ব অঞ্চলের ৭ রাজ্য ভারত থেকে পুরোপুরি বিচ্ছিন্ন হয়ে যাবে। উল্লেখ্য, ভারতের সেভেন সিস্টার বা উত্তর-পূর্ব অঞ্চলের ৭ রাজ্য অনেক আগে থেকেই ভারতের অধীনতা মেনে নিতে রাজি নয়। এঅঞ্চলগুলোতে স্বাধীনতাকামীদের আন্দোলন বেশ জোড়ালো, তারা ভারত থেকে বিচ্ছিন্ন হতে চায়। তাই সব মিলিয়ে ভারত বিষয়টি নিয়ে বেশ চিন্তিত ।

তবে সেই চিন্তায় আরো আগুন ধরেছে বর্তমান পরিস্থিতি। চীন সরাসরি ঘোষণা দিয়েছে ভারতের বিরুদ্ধে যুদ্ধ হতে পারে। গত ১৯ দিন ধরে সিকিম পয়েন্টে চীন ও ভারতের সৈন্যরা মুখোমুখি অবস্থানে রয়েছে। এই যুদ্ধ পরিস্থিতি তৈরী হওয়ার পেছনেও কিন্তু রয়েছে চিকেন’স নেক এর হাতছানি। বর্তমান যুদ্ধ পরিস্থিতি- চীন, ভুটান আর ভারতের সিকিম প্রদেশের সংযোগস্থলে একটি উপত্যকার ভেতর দিয়ে রাস্তা তৈরি করাকে কেন্দ্র করে। যাকে বল হচ্ছে- ডোকলামে রাস্তা। এই রাস্তা হলে চীন বাহিনী চিকেন’স নেক এর খুব কাছাকাছি চলে আসবে। উল্লেখ্য গত বছর ২৬শে আগস্ট ভারতের আনন্দবাজার পত্রিকা খবর ছেপেছিলো- চিনা নিশানায় ‘চিকেনস নেক’, শিলিগুড়ি রক্ষায় বিপুল প্রস্তুতি ভারতেরও। খবরের ভেতরে বলা হয়, ভারতের চিন্তার কারণ সম্প্রতি চীনা প্রেসিডেন্ট চীনা বাহিনীর দুটো ইউনিটকে শক্তিশালী করেছে। এর মধ্যে একটি হলো ভারতের সিকিম প্রদেশ এবং ভুটানের হা জেলার মাঝখানে অবস্থিত চীনের চুম্বী উপত্যকায় মোতায়েন থাকা ইউনিট ৭৭৬৫৬। (http://bit.ly/2br8Khj) আর ডোকলামে রাস্তা, ৭৭৬৫৬ ইউনিটের শক্তি বৃদ্ধি এবং চিকেন’স নেক দখল যে একই সূত্রে গাধা তা বলার অপেক্ষা রাখে না।

তবে আমার বিশ্লেষনে- ভারতের এই ভয় বহুগুনে বাড়িয়ে তুলেছে আরো কিছু নিয়ামক-
(১) বর্তমানে নেপাল ভারতের বিপক্ষে, চীনের পক্ষে। নেপালের জনগনের মধ্যে রয়েছে ব্যাপক ভারত বিদ্বেষ। চীন-ভারত যুদ্ধ লাগলে নেপাল যে ১০০% চীনকে সাপোর্ট দেবে তাতে কোন সন্দেহ নাই।
(২) বাংলাদেশের জনগণের মধ্যে ক্রমবর্ধমান হারে বেড়ে যাওয়া ভারত বিদ্বেষ। যদিও শেখ হাসিনা সরকার ভারতের পক্ষে অবস্থান। তবে কিছুদিন আগে চীনের সাথে ২৪ বিলিয়ন ডলারের চুক্তির পর ভারত-চীন দ্বন্দ্বে হাসিনা সরকার কার পক্ষ নেয়, সেটা চিন্তার বিষয়।
(৩) আর্থিক দুরাবস্থায় ভারতের সামরিক বাহিনীর অবস্থা ভালো নয়। এ সম্পর্কে দুটো খবর পড়তে পারেন
ক) http://bit.ly/2tjRYbd, খ) http://bit.ly/2tTsyTg
(৪) ভারতের সীমান্তরক্ষী বাহিনী বিএসএফও সরকারের উপর ক্ষেপা। কারণ সরকার তাদের ঠিকমত খেতে দেয় না। কিছুদিন আগে এক বিএসএফ সদস্যের এ সম্পর্কে ভিডিও ফেসবুকে ভাইরাল হয়েছিলো (http://bit.ly/2tKPlQQ)। এ সব সমস্যার কারণে বিএসএফ সদস্যরা আত্মহত্যা করছে বলেও খবর বের হয়েছে (http://bit.ly/2sJ2rOD)।

উপরের চারটি ফ্যাক্টর বিবেচনা করলে চিকেন’স নেক নিয়ে ভারতের চিন্তার থাকার কথা। তবে (২) নং ফ্যাক্টর নিয়ে যে ভারত বেশ চিন্তিত তা সম্প্রতি চীনপন্থী বুদ্ধিজীবি ফরহাদ মাজহারের গুম হওয়ার বিষয় থেকে অনুধাবন করা যায়। আমি খুব নির্ভরযোগ্য মাধ্যম থেকে নিশ্চিত হয়েছি, আগের দিন ভারতবিরোধী সংবাদ সম্মেলনে ফরহাদ মাজহারের উপস্থিতি ছিলো তার গুম হওয়ার মূল কারণ। তবে এটা ঠিক চীনপন্থী কাউকে মেরে তুলকালাম ঘটাবে না ভারত। ভারতের উদ্দেশ্য ছিলো, বাংলাদেশে চীনপন্থী মহলকে জাস্ট একটা মেসেজ দেয়া- “তোমরা বাংলাদেশে ভারত বিদ্বেষ ছড়ানো বন্ধ করো, নয়ত গুম হয়ে যাবে।”

Will Bhutan exert its independent stand in the Doklam conflict?
Farah Masum, July 23, 2017

Five weeks have passed since the confrontation between China and India at Doklam, but the crisis remains unresolved. It has become an issue of pride, with no one willing to step down first and lose face.

In the meantime, China’s is gaining legal clout for its stance, while India is getting a cold shoulder from Bhutan. Bhutan reportedly never asked India for any military intervention in Doklam. On the contrary, Indian media has reported that Bhutan has requested India to withdraw its troops from there.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s high commissioner in Delhi, Abdul Basit, has met with the ambassadors of both China and Bhutan there. Delhi is rather perturbed at Thimpu’s annoyance with India for involving it in the tensions.

Well-known Indian international relations expert Bhadrakumar has said that the wife of the Chinese ambassador it Delhi met with the king of Bhutan after the crisis began. The king clearly informed the diplomat’s wife that Bhutan did not ask India to deploy troops in Doklam. Since then, China has adopted a firmer stand, according to sources.

China has taken a cautious stand since the Doklam crisis, avoiding direct military conflict, but the country’s media has taken up a hard line and have been issuing threats towards India. Initially India had made attacking statements, but now had adopted a more defensive stand. It now says that the problem can be resolved through talks.

Speaking in parliament, India’s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj has said that the international community will be with Delhi on the Doklam issue and hat both countries should withdraw their troops. Global Times, the mouth piece of China’s Communist Party, reacted sharply to her statement and published an editorial in this regard.

The editorial stated: “She was lying to the parliament. First, India’s invasion of Chinese territory is a plain fact. New Delhi’s impetuous action stuns the international community. No other country will support India’s aggression. Second, India’s military strength is far behind that of China. If the conflict between China and India escalates to the intensity where they row has to be resolved through military means, India will surely lose.

“India should abandon the fantasy of a long-term standoff at Doklam. China will by no means agree to the withdrawal of troops from both sides in order for talks to be held. Doklam is Chinese territory. The withdrawal of Indian troops must be a precondition for talks and China will not compromise on this stance.”

Many Indian analysts contend that Delhi has taken its Big Brother attitude with Bhutan a little too far, leading up to the prevailing crisis from which it is difficult to retract. Jayanta Ghosal writes in Kolkata’s Anandabazar Patrika, “Bhutan has asked India through diplomatic channels to withdraw those extra 2500 troops from Doklam. They have asked China the same. India’s diplomats could not imagine that Bhutan would take such a stance at this juncture of confrontation with China. Delhi had taken it for granted that this little Himalayan nation was entirely in its camp. Jawaharlal Nehru had signed a peace treaty with Bhutan in 1949. It was laid down there that Bhutan would follow India’s guidance in its foreign policy matters. Then in 2007 when Bhutan changed from monarchy to democratic rule, this clause was dropped from the treaty. In reality, Delhi hadn’t really lost any clout with Thimpu. Under Indian pressure, Bhutan even issued a demarche to China. But this latest request has perturbed India’s South Block.”

Indian security analyst and international relations expert Bhadrakumar revealed India’s motives behind the Doklam operation. In Asia Times he wrote that India is playing a new trick with the Doklam issue to influence Bhutan’s elections to take place in the middle of next year. In 2008 the country transformed from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy and the first election ushered in the Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party, perceived to be pro-Chinese. In the next elections, through various means, the pro-Indian People’s Democratic Party president Tshering Tobgay was brought to power. With the party losing popularity, there is all possibility that Jigme Thinley’s party will once again will the election. Under such circumstances, the conflict with China was picked up in order to generate anti-Chinese nationalist emotions before the election.

The Doklam incident had, instead, raked up anti-Indian feelings in Bhutan. Renowned lawyer Wangchuk Singe wrote that Bhutan is much more unprotected in front of India than China. Bhutan has no connectivity with any other country other than through India. As a result, Bhutan’s trade and economy depends entire on India. Due to these geographical restrictions, Bhutan simply has to accept whatever is said about the boundary in India’s survey.

He wrote that During China-Bhutan border talks, India has repeatedly urged Bhutan to claim Doklam as its territory. Though India gave this up itself when in talks with China, it has been using Bhutan to make the claim. Bhutan is in a difficult position. Each inch of Bhutan’s land is sacred. It is natural for them to claim territory for themselves. But claiming disputed land from China simply for India’s strategic purposes, is a dangerous matter.

India had intentionally brought the Doklam issue forward as a tool against China. It had also hoped to fan up extremist Hindutva nationalist sentiments before the presidential election as well as to cover up the military operations centred on the Kashmir issue. However, Delhi seems to have been caught in its own trap. On one hand China continues amassing its military strength along the Indian border, with its media taking on increasingly threatening tones. One the other hand, Kashmir too is in a weakened state in the face of China’s threats. China has said that if India can send troops to Doklam at Bhutan’s request, then China can consider sending troops to Kashmir at Pakistan’s request.

Bhadrakumar has said, India is at a disadvantage on the Doklam issue for four reasons and it will be difficult for it to garner international support for this. Firstly, even India’s media does not say that China has entered Indian territory. On the contrary, Indian troops have taken position in the territory claimed by Bhutan, which is under Chinese control. Secondly, India claims that the road being constructed by China in Doklam may be a security threat to India. But there had been a road there before. China is just expanding it. Thirdly, India contends at its strategic Chicken Neck or Siliguri corridor may be China’s target. Yet the hundreds of kilometers between the Chumbi valley near the site and Siliguri is absolutely rough and hard-to-access terrain, unfit for military movement. Fourthly, China is carrying out the construction on its sovereign territory. India has no justification to object.

Delhi cannot be unaware of all this. The question is, why then is India so aggressive in its stance concerning Doklam? Wangchuk Singe says that Doklam doesn’t have any extra strategic significance to Bhutan than other parts of the kingdom. But it does hold significance to India and China. Unfortunately for India, the boundaries of Sikkim, India, Tibet-China in the tri-nation junction have been demarcated a long time ago. The Doklam plateau is very important to India in its strategic military interests. It cannot fulfill that requirement through Sikkim. Without Doklam, the doors of Sikkim may close to India.

This analysis reflects Bhutan’s mindset. Singe says, one thing must be made clear. It is true that Indian forces have kept up their presence in Bhutan, India trains the Bhutanese army and arranges funding for it. But none of this is for Bhutan’s defence. It is for India’s defence. India wants to enhance Bhutan’s capabilities in order to protect its own border with China.

The crisis arising out of the Doklam issue is forcing Bhutan to take a sovereign stand. In the past China has a non-interference policy concerning South Asian nations. That is no longer so. Many in Thimpu feel that India had a secret hand in curtailing the powers of the Bhutanese king, just as it did in Nepal. By forming a parliament of pro-Indian elements, it keeps the king under pressure. By keeping him under pressure over the Doklam issue, Delhi is shutting his mouth. But that is how Sikkim lost its independence at one point of time, under such pressure. Such an unspoken fear prevails in Bhutan too.

No matter how small Bhutan may be, it can exert itself independence with Chinese support. Significant in this regard is Abdul Basit meeting with the Bhutanese and Chinese ambassadors in Delhi, the Chinese ambassador’s wife calling upon the Bhutanese king, and the call through diplomatic channels for India to withdraw its troops. Many Indian analysts apprehend this is the beginning of the end of India’s strong domination over Bhutan.
http://southasianmonitor.com/2017/07/23/will-bhutan-exert-independent-stand-doklam-conflict/

 

[Mage]

We have nothing at stake here. Let the supa pawa fight with China. However we have to reach a point where our military is strong enough to say no when India in a Sino-Indian conflict wants to send troops to NE via BD.

 

[Banglar Bir]

Is China turning up heat on Indian through Pakistan flank amid Doklam standoff?
Tom Hussain, July 23, 2017

Indian paramilitary troopers are seen through the broken windshield of a vehicle at the site of an attack on Hindu pilgrims in Anantnag, south of Srinagar. Photo: AFP
While Chinese and Indian troops face off near Bhutan, skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani forces along the disputed border in Kashmir have spiralled dangerously since May, threatening India with hostilities on two flanks. But even though the Pakistani army would like to leverage the Doklam standoff to settle its old scores with India, China has so far been reluctant to pile pressure on the Kashmir front through Pakistan.

Despite the Chinese state media’s calls for the government to militarily humiliate India in a multiple-front war, China has made no attempt to link the two flanks by publicly taking sides with Pakistan over the intensified clashes along the Kashmir border, known as the Line of Control.

“China’s approach to the Kashmir dispute is a function of its own domestic challenges, as well as the fact that it is also a party (to the disputed territory), so even if the geopolitical fault lines in the region harden, the Chinese position won’t solely be driven by a greater tilt towards Pakistan and against India,” said Andrew Small, a fellow at the German Marshall Fund and author of The China-Pakistan Axis.

Clashes along the Kashmir border have spiked since a terror attack that killed 18 Indian soldiers at a military camp near the Line of Control in September. Indian forces responded by conducting what they called “surgical strikes” against targets on the Pakistan-administered territory, sparking unceasing fighting there ever since.

“We should not read too much into the timing of the China-India border standoff and the surge in the Line of Control violence. That said, let’s be clear: China and India are at each other’s throats at the moment and there’s good reason to think that the India-Pakistan rivalry could get dragged into this,” said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asian programme at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington.

“Could Pakistan be seeing India bogged down in the Himalayas and sensing an opportunity to put pressure on India from another flank? Absolutely,” he told This Week in Asia. AFP

Figures released on Sunday by the Pakistani military’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) directorate sought to build the case that India has ramped up military action along the Line of Control. According to the Pakistani military, there have been more than 580 Indian violations of a 2004 ceasefire agreement so far this year. It was 382 last year.

According to the Indian Army, there have been 238 ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces this year up to mid-July.

Fighting has intensified in recent months, with 308 incidents taking place between May 1 and July 15, says the ISPR. Since being appointed Pakistani army chief in November amid the frequent fighting, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has visited frontline military positions in Kashmir every month. The General has shifted the focus of the national security narrative away from Pakistan’s largely won war against Taliban insurgents and back towards its historical enmity with India.

But the Pakistani military’s leadership is constrained in its actions by mounting US pressure to act decisively against Afghan Taliban and anti-India terrorist factions that “continued to operate from Pakistani soil in 2016”, according to the US State Department country report for Pakistan, released on Wednesday.

US defence and foreign affairs spending bills currently making their way through the Congress have tightened conditions on the release of funds to Pakistan, making it subject to confirmation that it has proactively acted to prevent cross-border terrorist attacks from its territory. The US defence bill notes that the US and India view geopolitical developments in Asia “the same way”, and requires the Trump administration to produce a working plan for enhanced military cooperation with India within six months.

However, the US is also concerned that rising military tensions with India would make Pakistan less cooperative in finding a Taliban-inclusive negotiated political settlement in Afghanistan. The US is keen to involve India in the Afghanistan peace process, an idea Pakistan is averse to.

“Tensions between Pakistan and India must be addressed. Pakistan’s actions in Afghanistan are in many ways driven – rightly or wrongly – by its existential fear of India and potential encirclement by an Afghanistan government that would allow India to use its territory for anti-Pakistan activities,” said a recently published report by the US Institute of Peace, a Washington think tank. “Therefore, some steps need to be taken to give Pakistan assurances that its support for an Afghanistan-led peace process will not risk losing power to India.”

Fighting flared up again this week along the Kashmir border since the death of four Pakistani soldiers on Sunday. Speaking to his Indian counterpart by telephone the following day, for the first time in six week, the Pakistani army’s chief of military operations warned the fresh bout of clashes could lead to a dangerous tactical escalation.

“While we don’t want to go down the path where we start choking each other’s supply lines, however, any such recurrence will invoke more strong and effective measures from Pakistan’s side,” said Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, according to an ISPR press release.

India’s Lt Gen A.K. Bhatt said his forces would respond in kind. The Indian side had opened fire on Sunday in response to an attempt by Pakistani militants to infiltrate across the Line of Control, according to an Indian army spokesman. Two Indian soldiers were killed in a Pakistani ceasefire violation on Tuesday, the Indian army said. Pakistan’s military said its forces had killed a further five Indian soldiers on Wednesday.

Since May, Pakistan’s air force has activated its forward operating bases along the entire length of its border with India. The decision was taken after Indian press reports revealed the Indian air force chief, Air Chief Marshall B.S. Dhanoa, had asked all 12,000 officers under his command to be “prepared for operations with our present holdings, at a very short notice”.

Beijing has repeatedly called on both sides to engage in diplomatic talks and offered on Monday to play a “constructive role” in improving relations between Islamabad and New Delhi. The offer was a glib reminder that India and Pakistan have both sought diplomatic assistance from China and the US to resolve previous crises that threatened to descend into war.

Invoking India’s decades-old policy of refusing third-party intervention in its disputes with Pakistan, the foreign ministry spokesman dismissed the offer out of hand.

In view of the Bhutan standoff, China may thus be seeking to subtly leverage military tensions between India and Pakistan to its advantage, but without substantially changing its position on Kashmir.

“Beijing will tread carefully when it comes to revising a stance that it has held to for decades. But there is a sense at the moment that there is a little more room for Chinese maneuver at the margins, primarily as a result of growing tensions in Sino-Indian relations,” said Small.
http://southasianmonitor.com/2017/0...-through-pakistan-flank-amid-doklam-standoff/

India must respect Bhutan’s sovereignty
IP Adhikari , July 24, 2017

The muscle flexing of the two rising powers in Asia is posing serious threat to the very stability in Himalayas this summer. The tussle is between the uncompromising New Delhi and Beijing whereas pain is transferred to the local residents who fear tension escalation means their life in danger.

On top of that, it’s primarily the sovereignty-threat of another small country Bhutan whose border dispute protruded into this regional tension. The dispute should have been between Bhutan and China since the road construction was claimed to be inside Bhutanese border – the disputed border.

Indian political parties and media hyped the situation and Indian military marched ahead for confrontation. India’s hyperactive character has undermined the sovereignty of Bhutan. India has not acted in Bhutan’s favour but projected it can decide on behalf of Bhutan.

Historically, India has always undermined sovereignty of its smaller neighbours. Bhutan was the last country to accept India as a positive neighbour and this is fast eroding.

Since 1998 when Bhutan and China decided to finalise border demarcation through dialogue, India indiscriminately interfered and obstructed Bhutan’s willingness to establish peace in the Himalayas. Sans India, Bhutan-China border would have resolved years ago. India maintains, Bhutan, who receives billions as grants from the southern neighbour, must remain obedient to it. It must remain a disciple, a loyal follower. Its time, India must adhere by what Jawaharlal Nehru said in Paro during his visit in 1958:

“Some may think that since India is a great and powerful country and Bhutan a small one, the former might wish to exercise pressure on Bhutan. It is therefore essential that I make it clear to you that our only wish is that you should remain an independent country, choosing your own way of life and taking the path of progress according to your will.”

Bhutan, at its best, maintains this status, yet it is making gradual efforts to distance from the Indian hegemony of describing Bhutan as its protectorate. Bhutan wants to return to its historic and cultural shelves of Tibet while India continues its undesirable presence in northern Bhutan.

Bhutan has spoken only once since the Doklam stand off. Bhutan said it does not accept Chinese presence in the dispute area and hinted at ending conflicting situation at the earliest possible. The continued Indian media coverage and political talk in Delhi are indication that Bhutanese statement was circulated under Indian pressure.

Bhutanese foreign ministry statement reads, ‘Bhutan has conveyed to the Chinese side, both on the ground and through the diplomatic channel, that the construction of the road inside Bhutanese territory is a direct violation of the agreements and affects the process of demarcating the boundary between our two countries. Bhutan hopes that the status quo in the Doklam area will be maintained as before 16 June 2017.’

India continued is propaganda saying the Chinese had intruded into India territory. China had rightly maintained, the dispute is between Thimphu and Beijing, India has nothing to do here. India could have come forward to help to Bhutan against China’s intrusion but Bhutan hasn’t said it has sought such help. The dispute is not in tri-junction as claimed by Indian media but clearly on China-Bhutan border in Haa district.

It’s on India’s onus whether it wants the tension to escalate and face possible humiliating defeat at Chinese hands or dispel diplomatic channel to ease the tension. India must respect Bhutanese sovereignty – not take it as granted.

SOURCE IPA JOURNAL
http://southasianmonitor.com/2017/07/24/india-must-respect-bhutans-sovereignty/

 

[arp2041]

Imagine the Irony........

Two Giants of Asia are in a Tussle & We need the EXPERT opinion of almost a Non-Entity on Global affairs!!!

Someone should seriously see the MIRROR

 

[dray]

How did it start?
Both China and Bhutan claim over Doklam as it’s a disputed territory. On the night of June 8, China initiated a manoeuvre in Doklam that would trigger a chain of events leading to the most dangerous standoff between India and China in recent years.

A PLA platoon is said to have removed two stone bunkers raised by the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) had constructed years ago and manned occasionally and went ahead with construction of a road. At the behest of Bhutan, Indian Army intervened and stopped the Chinese construction of the road.

That's the crux of the matter, a naked display of chinese imperialistic hegemonic tendencies coupled with bullying its neighbours including a tiny & peaceful state of Bhutan with less than a million population and minimal military capabilities. Disgustingly shameful.

 

[Banglar Bir]

China warns India not to harbour illusions in border stand-off

• Reuters
• Published at 07:09 PM July 24, 2017

Chinese state media have warned India of a fate worse than its defeat suffered in a brief border war in 1962. China's military has held live fire drills close to the disputed area, they said this month
China’s defence ministry on Monday warned India not to harbour any illusions about the Chinese military’s ability to defend its territory, amid a festering border dispute.

The stand-off on a plateau next to Sikkim, which borders China, has ratcheted up tension between the neighbours, who share a 3,500km frontier, large parts of which are disputed.

“Shaking a mountain is easy but shaking the People’s Liberation Army is hard,” ministry spokesman Wu Qian told a briefing, adding that its ability to defend China’s territory and sovereignty had “constantly strengthened”.

Early in June, according to the Chinese interpretation of events, Indian guards crossed into China’s Donglang region and obstructed work on a road on the plateau.

The two sides’ troops then confronted each other close to a valley controlled by China that separates India from its close ally, Bhutan, and gives China access to the so-called Chicken’s Neck, a thin strip of land connecting India and its remote northeastern regions.

India has said it warned China that construction of the road near their common border would have serious security implications.

The withdrawal of Indian border guards was a precondition for resolving the situation, Wu reiterated.

“India should not leave things to luck and not harbour any unrealistic illusions,” Wu said, adding that the military had taken emergency measures in the region and would continue to increase focused deployments and drills.

“We strongly urge India to take practical steps to correct its mistake, cease provocations, and meet China halfway in jointly safeguarding the border region’s peace and tranquillity,” he said.

Lu would not be drawn on whether the border issue would be discussed at the meeting, hosted by China’s top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, meant to discuss multilateral issues.

“China hopes to maintain the peace and stability of the China-India border area, but certainly will not make any compromise on issues of territorial sovereignty,” Lu said.

Chinese state media have warned India of a fate worse than its defeat suffered in a brief border war in 1962. China’s military has held live fire drills close to the disputed area, they said this month.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/world/2...india-not-harbour-illusions-border-stand-off/

 

[Mage]

Imagine the Irony........

Two Giants of Asia are in a Tussle & We need the EXPERT opinion of almost a Non-Entity on Global affairs!!!

Someone should seriously see the MIRROR

One giant actually. Another is a supa pawa. Supa Dupa Lupa Kupa Pawa.

 

[bluesky]

People should not talk macho. India and China must de-escalate the warlike situation and talk to find out an amicable settlement without sacrificing precious human lives. The disputed land is in between Bhutan and China, and Indian troops are there to support a weak Bhutan under a treaty between the two. Doklam seems to me just a small patch of rugged Himalayan land which apparently has been under Bhutan's jurisdiction for many years.

Why China covets this small patch that remains under ice more than half the year is not really understood. But, if China feels threatened by the presence of two Indian mountain Divisions near its patch land, it should initiate discussion with India so that troops from both sides move back to the points which both the parties would think as de-escalation of a threat.

 

[Mage]

People should not talk macho. India and China must de-escalate the warlike situation and talk to find out an amicable settlement without sacrificing precious human lives. The disputed land is in between Bhutan and China, and Indian troops are there to support a weak Bhutan under a treaty between the two. Doklam seems to me just a small of patch of rugged Himalayan land which apparently has been under Bhutan's jurisdiction for many years.

Why China covets this small patch that remains under ice more than half the year is not really understood. But, if China feels threatened by the presence of two Indian mountain Divisions near its patch land, it should initiate discussion with India so that troops from both sides move back to the points which both the parties would think as de-escalation of a threat.

Dude let them fight.. I am ready for some action as long as it doesn't involve BD.

 

[Banglar Bir]

China warns India not to ‘push its luck’ amid border stand-off in Himalayas
Published time: 24 Jul, 2017 09:06 Edited time: 24 Jul, 2017 09:09
Get short URL

FILE PHOTO: An Indian Army soldier stands in front of a group of People's Liberation Army of China soldiers © Indranil Mukherjee / AFP

China has warned India not to “cling to fantasies” amid a tense border stand-off, which also involves Bhutan, involving disputed territory in the Himalayas. Earlier, China staged live-fire drills in the area while India deployed troops there.
“China’s determination and resolve to safeguard national security and sovereignty is unshakable,”Defense Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Wu Qian said in a statement on Monday, as cited by AP and local media. His words come ahead of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

“Don’t push your luck and cling to any fantasies,” Wu said.

“The 90-year history of the PLA has proved but one thing: that our military means to secure our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity has strengthened and our determination has never wavered. It is easier to shake a mountain than to shake the PLA.”

© Google Maps
China and Indian ally Bhutan have been disputing the narrow Doklam plateau at the tri-junction of the three countries’ borders for decades. India says the area is Bhutanese.

Tensions between Beijing and Delhi escalated this June when Chinese teams started building a road on the plateau. Bhutan requested help from India, which sent its troops across the border.

Read more

‘Avoid escalation’: China demands India withdraw troops from disputed Himalayan territory
India also warned China that the road was a “serious security concern” because it would give China access to the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck,’ a narrow stretch of land linking India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country, NDTV reported earlier in July.

Also in July, China staged 11 hours of live-fire drills in Tibet, not far from the disputed territory, Chinese media reported. The exercises involved soldiers armed with rocket launchers, machine guns, and mortars.

In June, to support its claim, China provided historical documents which it says prove the Doklam plateau belongs to Beijing.

“First, in terms of history, Doklam has always been the traditional pasture for border inhabitants living in [China’s] Yadong [county], Xi Zang. China has been exercising jurisdiction over this area,”Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said in a statement.

However, those claims are disputed by India, which accuses China of cherry-picking facts to suit its agenda.
Both India and China reportedly bolstered their troops in the area in June, with each side adding about 3,000 soldiers, the Times of India said at that time.

The standoff is the longest between the China and India since 1962, when the two sides fought a brief war over tensions surrounding Tibet and other points along the border in the Sino-Indian War, which China won.
https://www.rt.com/news/397299-china-india-military-border/

 

[bluesky]

Dude let them fight.. I am ready for some action as long as it doesn't involve BD.

"When Rome burned Nero fiddled" has been the saying for many centuries. This time when Doklam burns Bd will have no role in playing a flute. A long and atrocious war in the neighborhood will also burn BD.

 

[hembo]

Baigani shaadi me Abdulla Diwana!! Fanboyz....

 

[Mage]

"When Rome burned Nero fiddled" has been the saying for many centuries. This time when Doklam burns Bd will have no role in playing a flute. A long and atrocious war in the neighborhood will also burn BD.

We stay uninvolved. Tighten our security in the NE border. If India wants to send military to NE via BD we say no and stay firm. We ask them to calm down and be rational. Although they wouldn't care about what we have to say. So there you go. This is what we do. Let a Supa pawa fight with China.