Why end of Doklam standoff is a much needed strategic relief for India and China
After 73 days, that’s almost two and a half months, India and China seem to have reached an understanding and a mature response over the Doklam standoff. MEA has released a press statement saying “expeditious disengagement of border personnel at the face-off at Doklam has been agreed to and is ongoing”.
MEA Press Statement on Doklam Disengagement Understanding pic.twitter.com/fVo4N0eaf8
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 28, 2017
China, India agree to end over 2-month-long standoff in #Doklam; China confirms India has withdrawn its troops pic.twitter.com/Kwr6pFi2PN
— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) August 28, 2017
The nine-week-long Himalayan face-off has finally reached a way out that’s both acceptable and mature, and has been received by both sides enthusiastically. While the MEA India is trying its best to go easy on the rhetoric, Chinese media is passing this off as a case of “India blinking” and withdrawing troops, while Chinese continue to patrol the Doklam tri-junction.
The military border standoff started on June 16 when Indian Army personnel confronted the People’s Liberation Army of China at the tri-junction over construction of roads. Chinese troops with their road-building equipment were protested by the Indian military and diplomatic sections, while 270 Indian troops stationed themselves at Doklam in retaliation.
There have been heated debates, threats of war looming overhead, with experts saying Beijing is darong New Delhi to enter an armed confrontation which could escalate quickly and turn into a major disaster. About a week back, the troops clashed in Ladakh and stones were thrown around, which made headlines for the high-voltage ambience, on the precipice of a massive showdown.
UPDATE: India and China agree to end border standoff at #Doklam, India says https://t.co/Noq8HXLQEr pic.twitter.com/yyC4MR5Mm8
— Reuters India (@ReutersIndia) August 28, 2017
Despite many saying this might become a bigger nightmare, the first time in 73 days, a silver lining of mutual détente has finally been reached today. Both MEA India and the Chinese government have issued press notes saying the disengagement has begun.
Incidentally, the governments of Sikkim and Bhutan also got drawn into the Doklam standoff, in what turned out to be the most serious confrontation between India and China since the 1962 war. While China claimed New Delhi was trespassing into Chinese territory, India maintained that pre-June 2017 status quo should be the normal state of affairs.
The #Doklam stand-off wasn't about Chinese patrols on the plateau, which has been going on for years. The issue was road construction.
— Dhruva Jaishankar (@d_jaishankar) August 28, 2017
Obviously, Chinese media putting a positive spin. Some in our media, while rightly questioning India's version, take Beijing at face value.
— Dhruva Jaishankar (@d_jaishankar) August 28, 2017
Critics in India are questioning whether it’s New Delhi that has in fact blinked and decided to withdraw troops.
Assuming the Chinese are withdrawing as well simultaneously. More details awaited https://t.co/5yTtuhFr6M
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) August 28, 2017
#Doklam: truth which Govt & media hiding. China maintains its position, continue to patrol while our Sarkar chose to bow & chicken-out. ???? pic.twitter.com/guoiqjHeS9
— Gaurav Pandhi (@GauravPandhi) August 28, 2017
We don't have enough data yet to analyse outcome of #Doklam, beyond the fact that this was a peaceful resolution, which is a BIG deal.
— Omair Ahmad (@OmairTAhmad) August 28, 2017
Nothing wrong per se with the Indian govt losing face at Doklam. Perhaps they evaluated the threat was too high to continue confrontation.
— Mihir Sharma (@mihirssharma) August 28, 2017
China FM on #Doklam: India will withdraw troops, China to continue its sovereignty rights in accordance with the historical border agreement
— BBC India (@BBCIndia) August 28, 2017
Need a clear statement from @MEAIndia have we decided to climb down? Blinked in #Doklam clarity is essential. Can't try "packaging"! https://t.co/bMBHAMJXlh
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) August 28, 2017
While there are those who are saying that this is typical Chinese belligerence and keeping up the pretense of a victory, despite the mutual disengagement.
After >2 months of sandlot mindgames, final proof of a mature relationship. Both sides agree to pull back troops. VERY good news. #Doklam
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) August 28, 2017
Given stark contrast in tone between India & China, I see this as a victory for Indian diplomacy. Held ground, nerve, didn't get provoked.
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) August 28, 2017
Hopefully #Doklam is a new chapter in India-China relations. Too much a stake for both big powers to let legacy real-estate issues linger https://t.co/29iuiJDlW1
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) August 28, 2017
Typically biased @ReutersIndia story. Chinese troops have withdrawn to their side of vast #Doklam "region" which they've always patrolled https://t.co/LUdglYqHEM
— Minhaz Merchant (@MinhazMerchant) August 28, 2017
#Doklam standoff over! Troops to disengage. Victory for India both military & diplomatic IMO. pic.twitter.com/fuzswnbaZ5
— Yusuf Unjhawala ???????? (@YusufDFI) August 28, 2017
Strategic victory of Bharat at #Doklam .China understood that India is now not that was in 62,both countries moving back. Business matters.
— Prashant P. Umrao (@ippatel) August 28, 2017
All in all, that the 73-day standoff has ended amicably and no armed confrontation actually took place, is a great relief for the two neighbours, who share one of the longest borders anywhere in the world. Given the upcoming BRICS summit in September and the UN General Assembly in New York, this is a positive development.
Hopefully, the Doklam détente will be a new chapter of entente cordiale between Beijing and New Delhi, who must focus on constructive ties and not energy-draining standoffs.