India enters into Bhutan-China border conflict

Indian media claimed Chinese military has entered into Bhutanese territory, following a standoff with Indian soldiers deployed in the border.

The standoff was at Doklam (or Donglang) which India say is within Bhutan while China says it’s inside Chinese territory. Bhutan has not made any statements.

China said, its soldiers were constructing road when Indian Army solders approached to dispute the construction.

About 89 square kilometre areas in Doklam Plateau, which overlooks the strategically important Chumbi Valley in the intersection of India-China-Bhutan. The area had been in dispute between Bhutan and China for a long time. India, in this instance, is making attempts to be party in the conflict.

The statement issued by Colonel Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson for Indian Ministry of National Defence of Chinese Government, however, did not have any reference to the Bhutan-China dispute over Doklam Plateau.

New Delhi fear the road China building in Doklam Plateau would give it a strategic advantage against India in a possible military conflict in future. The plateau overlooks the Chumbi Valley, which is not far from “Siliguri Corridor” – the narrow stretch of land that connects India’s seven north-eastern States with the rest of the country.

Beijing in the past indicated to Thimphu that it was ready to give up much of its territorial claims in northern Bhutan if the latter accepts Doklam Plateau as a territory of China. China claims about 764 square kilometres of areas in Bhutan.

New Delhi restricts Thimphu having diplomatic relations Beijing while it holds military outposts in strategic positions in northern Bhutan.