Things are cooling off on the Doklam plateau as the cold season begins on the unchartered borders shared by China, India and Bhutan.
This region, part of an eastward extension of the Himalayan range, was the scene of a bitter standoff between the Chinese and Indian militaries in a territorial row a few months ago.
Luckily, rationality prevailed as Beijing and New Delhi sought to avoid an internecine showdown, although nationalist sentiment was stoked in both countries.
Both sides have to back down when frigid weather seals off the plateau, but the feud is still simmering.
For New Delhi, it was obvious that Beijing’s fortification of the border area – including widening a road for the People’s Liberation Army, which sparked the tension – had endangered its national security. That is because Doklam is close to the Siliguri Corridor, aka the Chicken’s Neck, a vital strip just 27 kilometers wide at its narrowest, that links its eastern states to the rest of India.
Beijing’s motive, other than beefing up its military buildup in Tibet, has much to do with the question of Taiwan.
Hong Kong-based military commentator Andrei Chang noted in a column that Beijing is deeply concerned that India might “stab it in the back” if it sends troops in a southeast direction to reclaim Taiwan, should the renegade island declare independence.
The PLA would have to fight two wars – one in front and a second at the rear – should New Delhi, which has never been amicable with Beijing, take the opportunity to pick a fight on the Chinese border.
Roughly 80% of the PLA’s exercises and drills over the years simulate sea and air attacks, plus ground maneuvers, to reclaim Taiwan, as well as fending off involvement of the United States and its Asian allies, Chang said, while the remaining 20% have related to possible conflicts with India in a harsh high-altitude environment.
Last month, regiments in the PLA’s Western Theater Command, who patrol the Indian-Tibetan border, had a large drill in a craggy plateau to test the war readiness of its soldiers and weaponry in frigid weather conditions, the PLA Daily reported.
With Beijing and New Delhi still lacking mutual trust and regarding the other as a threat to border security, the Doklam plateau and the rest of the 3,380km border have become a militarized strip, where both sides continue to pile up troops and ammunition.
Observers say if Beijing resumes efforts to widen the road at Doklam in spring next year, New Delhi will deploy more guided missiles along the border.
First try to stop US drone attacks inside Pakistan, then talk about Trump. Kuch kar nahi paate ho…
Sandesh Herwade : Pakis are shameless. US day and night bombs by Drone inside Pakistan but they can’t do anything to this foreign adventure.
1971 mai, India ne tumhare mulk ke do tukre kiye the.. Iss baar phir jang hua na, tho bachoge nahi. Tum sabko ek saatha allah ke paas bhej denge.
Talk sense
What revenge!!! It was a border skirmish which ended with a shameful defeat for India, due mostly to the blunders on the Indian part and total lack of foresight on Nehru’s part. It should also be borne in mind that PLA was qualitatively much inferior to what it is now.
Most Indians think about all the massage parlors when they about China.o
What did you smoke ?
I think u r sharing ur experience "how usa ditch Pakistan as non-white" and using "carrot n stick" policy to snub Pakistan over nurturing terrorists..India knows very well what should it do or not.. India has proved robust foreign policy n economic stability… Instead of teaching others go n save pakistan
India is no white whatsoever whether to US or China. India has to think shrewdly who is the bigger devil of the two to make friends with.
China should cut off Siliguri corridor from India and give a chance to north East India to be independent.we will wipe the rss (idol worship ing cow piss drinker from our land including the new delhi’s fielded politician from our state.
Most Chinese folks have a phobia for Indian rape than a stab.
India has no connection with Taiwan. India is intensifying its alliance with the USA to withstand China, but that is a different matter.
"…New Delhi, which has never been amicable with Beijing…"
You evidently know no history. Forgotten "Hindi-Chini-Bahi-Bhai"
India has no connection with Taiwan. India is intensifying its alliance with the USA to withstand China, but that is a different matter.
India should stab from from front,rear as a revenge which China did in 1962
China is a hagemon and Bully.. Chinese think they’re being clever by grabbing land and sea but they’ll realise the futility of it soon
Role of US should China captures Taiwan not discussed here in details .
Frank has appeared out of the smoke.
Heisenberg White It’s already happening.
Wishful fantasy!
Wild imagination, Must be on opiates.