Will engage with China to avoid doklam 

Will engage with China to avoid doklam

Context:

• India will remain firm and will continue to engage with China to avoid another Doklam-like situation along the border.

The Doklam Issue: an overview

• The Doklam conflict started when India (Indian Army) objected a road construction by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China in the Doklam plateau which China claims to be a part of its Donglang region. However, India and Bhutan recognise it as Doklam, a Bhutan territory.
• Later, China accused Indian troops of entering in its territory and India accused the Chinese of destroying its bunkers (People’s Liberation Army bulldozed an old bunker of the Indian army stationed in Doklam).
• Thereafter China stopped the passage pilgrims heading toward Kailash-Mansarovar through the Nathu La pass, Sikkim.
• The Doklam standoff, which began on June 16, was resolved on August 28, with both sides pulling back troops, and China stopping construction of a road which India had objected to.

What are the common interest of India and China as far as Asian affairs are concerned?

• China has acquiesced in India’s participation in the East Asia Summit and India has joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
• In the international economic system, there is no difference between the two countries.
• Both aim to pursue long-term objectives of broad parity between the developed countries and the developing and transition economies in international financial institutions.
• Interlocking economic and trade relationships could knit China and India closer together.
• The two countries have already begun working together in multinational forums on such issues as climate change and environment protection, and have no real differences.
• They further encourages international biodiversity, promote dialogue among civilizations, combate transnational crime and deals with challenges from non-traditional threats to security.
• The two countries also share a mutual interest in keeping open the sea lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean, since the goods that flow from there to China go past India as well.

Conclusion:

• India’s and China’s broad strategic goals are essentially the same, i.e. preserving our strategic autonomy, protecting our people and responsibly helping shape the world.
• This cannot be achieved by conflict, but only through cooperation.