Doklam and lessons from it
The Doklam standoff having ended on the back of intense diplomatic engagement, there are lessons from this episode. Well China's official Xinhua News Agency confirmed withdrawal of Indian troops from the disputed region with no mention of its own it finally brought down curtains to over two months of standoff. Incidents like Doklam can very well happen in future and New Delhi would have to polish its diplomatic skills to bring a resolution or close to a temporary resolution. Essentially Doklam is an area strategically placed between Tibet's Chumbi Valley in the North, Bhutan's Ha Valley in the East and India's Sikkim region in the West.
Had the 9th BRICS Summit in China not been in the pipeline, the resolution of this standoff would have come is something to ponder over. China would not like to be seen on the wrong side of fence if New Delhi would have shown two minds on attending the summit.
A plausible boycott and belligerent stand
A boycott by India and a belligerent stand by China would have shown the summit in poor light. What the standoff showed right from the beginning was India taking up cudgels on behalf of a third country over a territory that is in dispute. Time and again it reposed faith in talks to bring an end to impasse. As South China Sea is a perfect illustration of Beijing acting on its own unmindful of reservations from other countries, India and other countries which are in dispute with China over territories/sea they would have to bear in mind the repeated unilateral action by Beijing and frame a response accordingly. For over two months Chinese State Media maintained a belligerent note not matched by Indian govt and independent Indian media in the same breath. That was the first incremental gain New Delhi secured. Day in and Day out Chinese State Media engaged in from warning of swift and small action to edge out Indian troops to trespassing in the Indian territory and how New Delhi would like to react. With Public opinion in Beijing fed for over two months a strong dose of patriotic fervour, India came to the rescue of Bhutan over a disputed territory between China and Bhutan.
A little over thirty years from now
One should note China is an ambitious player and would like to unilaterally dominate the world proceedings in little over 30 years from now to coincide with centenary of Communist rule. It is laying ground for such dominance through repeated incursions. Bringing machines to build a road in the disputed territory showed it cares two hoots about a small nation and its grievances. At the upcoming 19th Congress of Communist Party Mr Xi is expected to get another five year term and he would vow to protect country's sovereignty at all costs and incidents like Doklam would make it doubly sure that he fits the bill to rule the nation in the capacity of a President.
China's not so visible success to rein in North Korea in its nuclear programme and missile tests does put a question mark on Beijing's calibre to be a world leader and its actions have to match words to show it is a world leader that has truly arrived.
A conflict both sides would like to stay away
China and India are two nations on the verge of writing a new chapter in Asia. A conflict that neither would like to engage in, a rabble rousing that most would prefer to get toned down, the two architects of Asia have a lot to gain from camaraderie and conciliation. A border standoff that was nothing new; what was new was its duration with neither side willing to give in. Though on the ground a understanding of sorts has been reached but there is no guarantee that such standoff won't happen again. If and when standoff of this nature comes, what would be at play would be a intense dialogue at various levels to break the ice. The two countries need to engage in cultural and social sphere, not forgetting the economic ties that binds them. Though balance of trade is heavily tilted in favour of China, this economic blueprint doesn't stop Beijing to navigate in troubled waters. A economic and cultural engagement would be a useful distraction if border disturbances keep on cropping up time and again.
The Doklam standoff having ended on the back of intense diplomatic engagement, there are lessons from this episode. Well China's official Xinhua News Agency confirmed withdrawal of Indian troops from the disputed region with no mention of its own it finally brought down curtains to over two months of standoff. Incidents like Doklam can very well happen in future and New Delhi would have to polish its diplomatic skills to bring a resolution or close to a temporary resolution. Essentially Doklam is an area strategically placed between Tibet's Chumbi Valley in the North, Bhutan's Ha Valley in the East and India's Sikkim region in the West.
Had the 9th BRICS Summit in China not been in the pipeline, the resolution of this standoff would have come is something to ponder over. China would not like to be seen on the wrong side of fence if New Delhi would have shown two minds on attending the summit.
A plausible boycott and belligerent stand
A boycott by India and a belligerent stand by China would have shown the summit in poor light. What the standoff showed right from the beginning was India taking up cudgels on behalf of a third country over a territory that is in dispute. Time and again it reposed faith in talks to bring an end to impasse. As South China Sea is a perfect illustration of Beijing acting on its own unmindful of reservations from other countries, India and other countries which are in dispute with China over territories/sea they would have to bear in mind the repeated unilateral action by Beijing and frame a response accordingly. For over two months Chinese State Media maintained a belligerent note not matched by Indian govt and independent Indian media in the same breath. That was the first incremental gain New Delhi secured. Day in and Day out Chinese State Media engaged in from warning of swift and small action to edge out Indian troops to trespassing in the Indian territory and how New Delhi would like to react. With Public opinion in Beijing fed for over two months a strong dose of patriotic fervour, India came to the rescue of Bhutan over a disputed territory between China and Bhutan.
A little over thirty years from now
One should note China is an ambitious player and would like to unilaterally dominate the world proceedings in little over 30 years from now to coincide with centenary of Communist rule. It is laying ground for such dominance through repeated incursions. Bringing machines to build a road in the disputed territory showed it cares two hoots about a small nation and its grievances. At the upcoming 19th Congress of Communist Party Mr Xi is expected to get another five year term and he would vow to protect country's sovereignty at all costs and incidents like Doklam would make it doubly sure that he fits the bill to rule the nation in the capacity of a President.
China's not so visible success to rein in North Korea in its nuclear programme and missile tests does put a question mark on Beijing's calibre to be a world leader and its actions have to match words to show it is a world leader that has truly arrived.
China and India are two nations on the verge of writing a new chapter in Asia. A conflict that neither would like to engage in, a rabble rousing that most would prefer to get toned down, the two architects of Asia have a lot to gain from camaraderie and conciliation. A border standoff that was nothing new; what was new was its duration with neither side willing to give in. Though on the ground a understanding of sorts has been reached but there is no guarantee that such standoff won't happen again. If and when standoff of this nature comes, what would be at play would be a intense dialogue at various levels to break the ice. The two countries need to engage in cultural and social sphere, not forgetting the economic ties that binds them. Though balance of trade is heavily tilted in favour of China, this economic blueprint doesn't stop Beijing to navigate in troubled waters. A economic and cultural engagement would be a useful distraction if border disturbances keep on cropping up time and again.
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