INDO-SINO STANDOFF IN SIKKIM, STRATEGIC MOVE BY DRAGON TO GAIN MILITARY ADVANTAGE

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China has always followed the policy of expansion. This is the reason why it is called the ‘Dragon’. The standoff between Indian Army and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is one fine example of the Chinese policy of expansion. After reiterating its claims on Tawang and Arunachal Pradesh, China now wants to capture the strategic area of Doklam plateau.

Doklam plateau lies in Bhutan, however, China claims that this area falls under its territory. Based on these claims, Chinese forces didn’t hesitate to build roads in this area earlier this year in June. On the request of the Bhutanese King, Indian Army intervened and stopped PLA from building a road in the area.

Importance of Doklam:

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Doklam is a strategic location which lets one easily target the chicken’s neck (narrow peace of land connecting main Indian Land to North east India). Holding a strategic position in Doklam plateau gives China a strategic edge and helps keeping an eye on surrounding area. In the case of a military conflict it can disconnect the India’s northeast region from the Mainland.

China has also staked claims on parts of Sikkim.China has issued an official warning to India to back off from the Doklam plateau by reminding India of the 1962 war.

Recently, Chinese forces performed a live military drill in Tibet and according to some media reports, China has started stocking up weapons in Tibet, which can be used against India if a war breaks between the two neighbouring countries. It might give a military advantage to Chinese forces.

As per the experts, this could be China’s tactics to try and put pressure on India in order to fulfil its dream project – ‘China Pakistan Economic Corridor’ and to divert India’s attention from Pakistan.