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No common ground on the Doklam plateau: (The Hindu, Editorial) (The Cartographic aggression of China)
Context
- China’s current claims over the Doklam plateau can be seen as an instance of cartographic aggression, which China often engages in.
China’s action
- China may have temporarily halted its road construction programme, but it appears determined to hold on to its position.
- India is equally clear that it cannot afford to back down, having gone to Bhutan’s assistance at a time of need.
China and India stand-off om Doklam
- For both India – China, it seems that the Doklam stand-off very differently.
- For China, the issue is one of territorial ‘sovereignty’.
- For India, the issue is one of national security.
- Both appear irreconcilable.
- China is generally not known to make concessions when it comes to aspects of territorial ‘sovereignty’.
- This would be the case if Chinese claims to the Doklam plateau are accepted and the tri-junction is accepted to be further south at Mt.
- Gipmochi.
- It would bring China within striking distance of India’s vulnerable ‘Chicken Neck’, the Siliguri Corridor, the life-line to India’s Northeast.
- Diplomacy should customarily have been the way out, but relations between India and China are far from cordial at present.
- Even at the highest levels, there are few signs of a collaboration.
- No bilateral meeting took place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit is best example.
Conclusion
- India needs to read proper meanings into China’s unwillingness to hold talks at the highest level.
- China is categorically laying down difficult pre-conditions for talks, though India is open to the idea of discussions without pre-conditions.
- These are well reflected in the differences seen between the high voltage Chinese reaction and the measured response of the Indian side.