Doklam is Becoming a Domestic Political Problem for China’s Leaders

Truth v/s Hype
Jul 28, 2017 · 3 min read

India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is in Beijing, China for Brazil-Russia- India- China -South Africa (BRICS) grouping. On the sidelines he also met Xi Jinping and media reports say there has been little success w.r.t Doklam standoff.

Ajit Doval in China — Meets Chinese President Xi Jinping

So, what do we know until now?

Things are a Little Better

According to the TOI report, ‘a slight improvement’ has prevailed after Chinese leaders have blatantly called for no meaningful dialogue until Indian troops withdrew from the disputed area in Doklam.

“At best, the high level of belligerence can be allowed to taper off, giving leaders enough time to find a solution. But even this is not easy because there are hawkish voices on both sides,” a Chinese analyst said to TOI.

The Doklam issue is fast becoming a domestic political problem for China’s leaders who need to deal with a section of hawkish Communist Party members demanding action to “push back” Indian troops, sources said. This is happening ahead of a crucial party congress that will elect leaders to top positions later this year.

Ajit Doval Meets Xi Jinping

Ajit Doval met Chinese president Xi Jinping amidst egregious border standoff at India-China-Bhutan tri-junction. What really went on in the meeting is still undisclosed as both nations stare at each other to budge the other.

Before media, Doval and Chinese leaders stuck to security dialogue of BRICS countries. The meeting took place after NSA Doval met Yang Jiechi, highly decorated diplomat who has been given the responsibility of handling the issue with India.

The talks have been taking place on the sidelines of BRICS summit where security counterparts of the involved nations are meeting to discuss national security in the region.

There has been no official statement, but the state news agency of China has reported that China’s State Councillor Yang “set forth China’s position on bilateral issues and major problems” during the gathering with senior security representatives from South Africa, Brazil and India.

The Indian government too has not commented if any talks have taken place over Sikkim dispute. China has claimed that the Indian troops crossed the LAC to disrupt the ongoing road development in a remote Himalayan plateau, which China calls Donglang, while Bhutan affirmed that the region is Doklam, and is part of its kingdom.

War of Words

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj had pushed for talks but only after both sides full off their soldiers, while China has been firm on it’s demand to have discussion only after India draws back its troops.

“The solution to this issue is simple, which is that the Indian troops back out honestly,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as reported by NDTV.

On the other hand, Vice army chief of the Indian army had said, “China is expanding its influence across the Himalayas into our neighbourhood despite being an economy five times the size (of India), with such a large standing army… it is bound to be a threat for us in the years ahead.”

Global Times at the Rescue

Guess GT has taken the official responsibility of conveying diplomatic messages from China. A day before Doval’s visit it said that the Doklam face-off “is in nature a great power competition in the disguise of border dispute, a more complicated situation than past border disputes between India and China”.

In present circumstances, what exactly Doval would be able to bring back is a question of time and negotiation for India cannot jeopardize its national security, while China want to prove a point.

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