China testing India's military element of special relationship with Bhutan

NEW DELHI: China's military standoff on Doklam is aimed at testing India's special relationship with Bhutan. China is also testing India's political will to sustain military element of this relationship, said a China watcher who has also studied Sino-Bhutan ties.
China through its actions has implicitly threatened that Beijing could generate disturbances for New Delhi's leadership in Sikkim, Bhutan and the Kashmir Valley , not only through the military build-up but also live drills in the Tibetan region.

Chief ministers of J&K and West Bengal have alleged Chinese role in disturbances in their states. Beijing's actions come in the backdrop of India's geo-political gains through PM Narendra Modi's recent visits to Europe, Russia, USA and Israel. Beijing's belligerence have come under criticism from a top European leader. Ryszard Czarnecki, VP , European Parliament, in an article published in European Parliament on July 12 titled `China's growing tendency to encroach', has pulled up Beijing up for its actions along Sikkim.

“Over the years China has consistently assured the international community that its `peaceful rise' did not in any way threaten the established order and instead promoted a peaceful international environment. In recent years and especially after Xi Jinping's succession as the country's president, one has been witnessing change in China's foreign policy and a infringement of internationally accepted norms. OnJune 16, China's unilateral move to build a motorable road from Dokala in Doklam area towards the Bhutan Army camp in Zornpelri is an illustration of this policy,“ Czarnecki wrote.

ET VIEW: Keep Diplomatic Channels Open
India must adhere to its policy course even under provocation from Beijing.The need is to keep working on its partnerships to counter Chinese geo-political ambitions. New Delhi must keep up its international outreach, improve its border infrastructure, strengthen domestic engagement, augment military capability while keeping diplomatic channels with Beijing open.