The ongoing scuffle between China and India intensified after Chinese government blocked the entry of Indian pilgrims into Tibet’s Kailash-Mansarovar region from the Nathu La pass. China accused the Indian army of encroaching into their territory near the Sikkim border and demanded their immediate withdrawal. To control further escalation, India dispatched reinforcement to this region. According to the reports, General Bipin Rawat visited the tri-junction for assessing the situation. Rawat visited the army headquarters in 27 Mountain Division (Kalimpong) and 17 Mountain Division (Gangtok).
Each of the countries deployed 3,000 troops at the Indo-China border. Such standoffs are common at the tri-junction, but the latest incident at Doka La was of serious nature. Sources report that General Rawat has positioned top four brigades for safeguarding the Sikkim border. The armies refused to budge from their respective positions. The informers don’t think any talks or meetings will work now.
Rawat held an extended discussion with the commanders of 33 Corps and 17 divisions. He’s set to return to New Delhi this Friday. Ever since India refused to support the construction of a motorable road through Bhutan—a dream project for China, the neighbors have assumed a hostile approach towards us. To assert their dominance, the Chinese launched their new-generation ‘Type 055’ naval destroyer into the sea. It is believed to be bigger and more powerful than India’s Vishakhapatnam 15B.
Further, the neighbors asked the Indian army to take lessons from the history, probably referring to the 1962 Indo-Chinese war. The Chinese are bent on building the ‘Class-40 road’ in the Dolkam plateau. This road can bear the weight of military vehicles (artillery guns and battle tanks) weighing nearly 40 tons. Though they claimed this project was ‘not targeted against any country’, the ongoing territorial aggression has raised concerns among the Indian troops.
China wants Bhutan and India to surrender claim to their lands for their project. Nevertheless, both India and Bhutan have issued a warning to China over the “package deal”. India is sensitive about the Zomplri ridge as it overlooks India’s vulnerable Siliguri corridor. It’s a narrow strip of land which connects the north-eastern states to rest of the country. The Chinese are trying to extend their railway line in this region, which is likely to escalate the problem.
The Indian troops are desperately trying to protect this narrow belt.
