The Doklam plateau, located at the trijunction of India, Bhutan, and China, has been a point of contention between China and Bhutan for years. Recently, Bhutan and China held talks in Kunming to discuss the border issue, which sparked controversy in India due to the potential implications for its security. During the three-day visit of Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to New Delhi, the two sides sought to address the controversy.
India’s Position on Doklam
India holds that China’s 2017 actions in Doklam were an attempt to unilaterally change the Bhutan-China border, which violated two agreements with Bhutan in 1988 and 1998. China’s aim was to move the trijunction point further south to Gyomochen, in violation of the 2012 agreement with India. Control of this area would give China a strategic advantage over India, as it would bring China closer to the “chicken’s neck,” the narrow corridor at Siliguri which is the only road connection to the Northeast, where Indian defenses are considered most vulnerable.
About Doklam and the Dispute
The disputed Doklam plateau comprises a plateau and a valley spread over less than 100 sq km. It is surrounded by the Chumbi Valley of Tibet, Bhutan’s Ha Valley, and Sikkim. Doklam is not the only disputed area between China and Bhutan; Jakarlung and Pasamlung are also areas of contention.
India’s Intervention
India intervened in the Doklam dispute because of its Friendship Treaty with Bhutan, which obligates India to intervene for Bhutan’s goodwill and protection. Bhutan asked for India’s help to protect its interest in Doklam from Chinese intervention. If China were to gain control of Doklam, it would compromise the security of both Bhutan and India. China would gain the high ground, which would enable it to completely crush Bhutan in case of war.
Additionally, access to the trijunction area via road from Doklam would give China easy access to transport war machinery such as tanks and vehicles to India’s border. If a war broke out between India and China, China would have the upper hand at conquering the Chickens Neck of India as well as the whole of the Northeastern region of the country.
Why In News
The recent three-day visit of Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to New Delhi saw both India and Bhutan making efforts to address the controversy sparked by the remarks of Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering about border talks between Bhutan and China. The visit aimed to strengthen the longstanding ties between the two countries and to discuss measures to resolve the Doklam dispute, which is a matter of concern for both India and Bhutan due to its strategic implications.
MCQs about Importance of Doklam and Tri-junction Area
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What is the dispute between Bhutan and China over Doklam?
A. A plateau and valley at the trijunction between India, Bhutan and China
B. An island in the South China Sea
C. A border area between India and Bhutan
D. None of the above
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What is the significance of Doklam for China?
A. It would give China strategic advantage over India
B. It is a rich source of oil and gas
C. It is a major tourist destination
D. None of the above
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Why did India intervene in the Doklam dispute?
A. To protect the interests of Bhutan under the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty
B. To claim the disputed territory as its own
C. To challenge China’s territorial claims in the region
D. None of the above
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What is the “chicken’s neck”?
A. A narrow corridor at Siliguri which is the only road connection to the Northeast
B. A popular food item in China
C. A mountain range in Bhutan
D. None of the above
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