Indian diplomatic efforts to bring a seven-week military stand-off with China to a close has hit a roadblock, as China continues to insist that India unilaterally withdraw its troops from the remote Doklam plateau claimed by both, Beijing and Indian ally Bhutan. While India is sure its neighbour won't risk a war, including a “small-scale military operation”, one of the only workable option is for both countries to simultaneously withdraw their troops from the Bhutanese territory.
Sources said that even if things boil down to a battle, the Indian Army is well-poised with “fully acclimatised troops” and “an enhanced border management posture” to prevent “any misadventure”. A source said, “Both countries do not want a conflict. A tactical operation by the Chinese border guards and PLA to construct a motorable road at Doklam went awry, with the consequent strategic fallout. Mutual troop pull-back or re-adjustment is the face-saver.”
“The Chinese troops at the face-off site are backed by around 1,500 PLA soldiers in three layers towards the rear. There are some verbal and loudspeaker exchanges but in a non-aggressive manner,“ said the source. Holding at over 11,000 feet site in Doklam, troops from the two sides continue to be ranged against each other as of now. Around 150 metre-long concertina wire coils separating them, and both having also built makeshift defences after earlier pitching tents and establishing logistical supply lines.
“Our soldiers are, in any case, deployed at border outposts. The PLA, which does not man posts like our troops because China has better roads for quick deployment, moved forward its soldiers only after the face-off began in mid-June.” Sources said India is adamant on not allowing China to “bully” Bhutan into ceding ground in the Doklam region which remains “strategically crucial” given the Zomplri Ridge in the location overlooks the Siliguri corridor.
