Sikkim stand-off: Indian Army readies for a long haul in Doklam, pitches in tents

India has begun consolidating its position for a "long haul" by pitching tents and getting additional troops and supplies at the standoff point with Chinese troops in Doklam area near the Bhutan tri-junction.

Indications are clear that Indian troops will not back off till there is a diplomatic solution. The month-long confrontation — being seen as the longest since 1962 — near Sikkim began following China's efforts to build a road in the strategically important Dokalam area in Bhutan referred to as Donglong by the Chinese.

The area is disputed between China and Bhutan and is close to the strategic Chumbi Valley in Chinese control at the tri-junction bordering the three countries.

The Indian Army is resisting China's efforts to build the road in the area as it will get them close to the Siliguri corridor that connects to the northeast and gives China a military advantage over India.

China has been aggressively blaming India for the current situation, asserting that it was not ready for any "compromise" and that the "ball is in India's court."

Chinese state media said on Sunday that India has, through its actions, exposed itself to Beijing's interference in Jammu and Kashmir. If Pakistan requests, "a third country" can rush soldiers to Kashmir, said an article in Global Times

New Delhi has stressed that there cannot be a change in the status quo in the area as it has serious security implications for India.

Bhutan has also said that the road construction inside Bhutanese territory was a direct violation of various agreements since it would change the status quo.

India has maintained that since it is a tri-junction involving the three countries, New Delhi cannot be left out of it, citing a 2012 agreement between India and Bhutan.

Bhutan has no diplomatic ties with China. A close friend and neighbour, Bhutan enjoys diplomatic and military support from India.

Of the 3,488-km India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim.

The current military standoff between Indian and Chinese troops is the third one since May, escalating tensions between the two countries.

The earlier two confrontations took place in mid-May and the first week of June in Ladakh. The first faceoff happened east of Karakoram and the second one was in the Pangong Tso (lake) during boat patrols. Both face-offs continued for 3-4 days, sources said.

NO BACKING DOWN

• Chinese state media said on Sunday that India has, through its actions, exposed itself to Beijing’s interference in Jammu and Kashmir.
   
• If Pakistan requests, “a third country” can rush soldiers to Kashmir, it said.