India and china : a journey from Doklam to wuhan

Abstract

This paper focuses on the Doklam crisis and ends with Wuhan Summit and latter's impact on the subsequent development in Sino-Indian relations. It was the belligerent attitude of China and the stubbornness of India that had precipitated the Doklam crisis. The Chinese understood very well that India was obliged to support Bhutan as the two countries had special ties according to the Indo -Bhutanese Treaty of 1949 and the revised version of it in 2007. It had been alleged that the Chinese stated that the Indians had no right to interfere in the Sino-Bhutanese boundary talks and that is was not entitled to make territorial claims on behalf of Bhutan. On the other hand, India is not happy with a separate deal between China and Bhutan, and insists rather on a comprehensive settlement on the border disputes that include India, Bhutan and China. The Doklam crisis was a reflection of the Chinese expansionist ambition. As the Doklam scenario worsened, India had briefed the Delhi based envoys of major countries on the deplorable situation arising from the on-going military stand-off between India and China. Beijing maintained its acrimonious attitude towards India asking the latter to withdraw immediately all troops from Doklam.