What is the issue?
- The resolution derived in long standing Doklam dispute by India and China is uncertain.
- A trilateral pact engaging India-China-Bhutan is needed to address the long standing dispute.
What is the present status of Doklam dispute?
- After a long standoff in doklam India and china paused the dispute peacefully by diplomatic moves.
- The 19th national congress of the communist party of China highlighted that the expeditious disengagement at Doklam was a peaceful and dialogue-based resolution.
- Even India has earlier stated that the de-escalation was based on mutual agreement, this reflects a trust factor.
- Nevertheless, both countries have embraced the disengagement as a diplomatic victory for their own sides.
- This resulted in subduing strong public sentiments in both countries.
- China even termed it as a victory for Asia, as these two big powers definitely have proven reasons to cooperate rather than to engage in conflict.
Why Doklam issue may haunt Sino-India ties in future?
- Lack of legal frameworks -The bilateral politico-legal frameworks are inadequate, with varying connotations and intent, both countries have been referring to the 1890 Convention of Calcutta signed between Great Britain and China.
- Such boundary disputes involving China, India and Bhutan had also been referred to in the letters exchanged in 1959 between Prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Zhou Enlai.
- These letters are frequently interpreted by both countries to justify their contemporary stances.
- Volatile Location -India argues that the tri-junction lies near Batang La, China positions it further down south at Mount Gamochen.
- Persisting claims and counter-claims related to patrolling the disengaged region, widening of the road by China just 10 km from Doklam, and the activity of armed forces is never-ending.
- In 1965-66, China complained about the presence of Indian troops in the Doklam region.
- But Bhutan claimed that the area in question was under Bhutan’s sovereignty.
- India claimed that Chinese intrusions happened at regular intervals in 1988 as well as in 2000.
- Stand of Bhutan -It cannot be dictated to either by India or China.
- Both India and China have been trying to make inroads into Bhutan but the post-Doklam scenario clearly suggests that China has the advantage.
- China and Bhutan entered into a border-related agreement in 1988 and subsequently in 1998 prohibiting unilateral measures.
- With India too, Bhutan had the friendship treaty to guide its foreign policy.
- However, since the treaty was amended in 2007, Bhutan is under no obligation to seek such guidance.
Source: Business Line
