The standoff between China and India in the Doklam area in the Sikkim sector shows no signs of easing. At the centre of the dispute is the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) attempt to build motorable road in the contentious tri-junction between Bhutan, China India.
Indian army soldiers are seen after a snowfall at the India-China trade route at Nathu-La, 55 km north of Gangtok, Sikkim. (File photo/REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri)
But how did did the situation unfold?
Here is a timeline:
Early June: China demolishes two old bunkers of Indian Army at the tri-junction
Intervening night of June 4-5: Chinese road-construction unit stopped by India at the Dokalam plateau
June 16: PLA attempts to construct a road in Doka La area
June 20: Bhutan’s ambassador lodges protest against Chinese intervention
June 23: China stops first batch of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims, cites damage to roads from rains in Tibet region
June 27: Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi stands by the border delineation of 1895
June 28: Army chief Bipin Rawat visits Sikkim to take a stock of the situation at the tri-junction
June 29: China shows Doklam as part of its territory in a map
June 29: China tests a 35-tonne military tank near the Nathu La border
July 2: China cancels a state-sponsored trip of Indian journalists to Tibet
July 3: China accuses India of ‘betrayal’ on border issue
July 6: China Calls Off Xi-Modi G20 Meet, Says ‘Atmosphere Not Right’
Source: News18