Gangtok, April 10: The recent visit of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan to the forward areas in north Bengal and Sikkim highlights the growing concerns in India over Chinese presence in the Doklam plateau. The Indian boundary in Sikkim abuts Tibet, and the Chumbi valley in Tibet sits between Sikkim and Bhutan.
India fears that Bhutan could cede the Doklam plateau and retain the areas to its north, which would give China a clear view of the sensitive Siliguri corridor in north Bengal, the narrow tract of land connecting mainland India with northeastern states.
During his two-day visit, General Chauhan reviewed infrastructure development, operational and logistics preparedness, and interacted with troops deployed in remote areas. He also visited the headquarters of 33 Corps, where he was briefed about the operational situation along the borders of Sikkim. General Chauhan stressed the need for force preservation, training, and vigilance among the troops.
The visit comes less than ten days after Bhutan’s Prime Minister Lotay Tshering announced that Bhutan was ready to “demarcate the boundary with China.”
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While the Bhutan-China talks have been ongoing since 1984, there are concerns in India that any agreement between Bhutan and China could threaten India’s security interests in the region.
The situation in the Doklam plateau remains a contentious issue between India, China, and Bhutan. The plateau is a junction point between the three countries, and there are differing views on the ownership of the area. While India and Bhutan claim the plateau as part of their territory, China insists that it belongs to them.
The visit of General Chauhan highlights India’s increasing focus on securing its borders and ensuring its security interests in the region.
The Indian government has been working on developing infrastructure and improving operational readiness in the region to counter any potential threat from China. India’s relationship with Bhutan remains crucial in this context, and any development regarding the demarcation of the border between Bhutan and China will have significant implications for India’s security interests.
