Jump to content

Doklam: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Reverted to revision 791257919 by DLinth (talk): Unexplained removal. (TW)
I have added information about Yadong county. I also added key information about the Anglo-Chinese treaty, which is key to understanding the 2017 Doklam crisis. I will be further editing to explain the problems that arise because of this treaty.
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Chinese |s=洞朗 |t=洞朗 |p=Dòng lǎng |pic=Bhutan CIA WFB 2010 map.png |piccap=Map of Bhutan. The Doklam region is south of the Chumbi Valley shown above. It is not labeled above, but is marked on this [http://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/3964647 map]}}
{{Chinese |s=洞朗 |t=洞朗 |p=Dòng lǎng |pic=Bhutan CIA WFB 2010 map.png |piccap=Map of Bhutan. The Doklam region is south of the Chumbi Valley shown above. It is not labeled above, but is marked on this [http://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/3964647 map]}}
'''Doklam''', '''Zhoglam{{Citation needed|reason=source needed for this statement|date=July 2017}}''' (in Standard Tibetan), '''Droklam''' (in Dzongkha{{Citation needed|reason=source needed for this statement|date=July 2017}} and [[Yadong County|Chomo]] Tibetan{{Citation needed|reason=source needed for this statement|date=July 2017}}) or '''Donglang''' (Mandarin {{zh|c=洞朗|p=Dòng lǎng}}) is a narrow plateau lying in the tri-junction region of [[Bhutan]], [[China]] and [[India]]. It is a disputed territory claimed by both Bhutan and China. It is situated roughly 15 kilometers southeast of the [[Nathu La]] pass that separates India and China. Doklam is part of the [[Chumbi Valley]] that lies primarily in Tibet. On the western edge of the Doklam plateau is Doka La, a pass at {{coord|27|17|22|N|88|54|50|E|display=inline}} connecting the Indian state of [[Sikkim]] with either [[Tibet]] in China according to numerous Chinese government statements and maps <ref>{{Cite news|last=Dutta |first=Sujan |date=5 July 2017 |title=Sikkim standoff: Doka La incursions betray Chinese intentions of getting behind Indian, Bhutanese defences |newspaper=Firstpost |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/sikkim-standoff-doka-la-incursions-betray-chinese-intentions-of-getting-behind-indian-bhutanese-defences-3778973.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705140014/http://www.firstpost.com/india/sikkim-standoff-doka-la-incursions-betray-chinese-intentions-of-getting-behind-indian-bhutanese-defences-3778973.html |archive-date=6 July 2017 |dead-url=no |df=dmy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/sikkim-standoff-china-releases-map-to-prove-its-claim-over-tri-junction-border-3766399.html|title=Sikkim standoff: China releases 'map' to prove its claim over tri-junction border|date=1 July 2017|publisher=|accessdate=6 July 2017}}</ref> or linking Sikkim and western Bhutan according to equally numerous maps and statements from the Bhutan and India governments.
'''Doklam''', '''Zhoglam{{Citation needed|reason=source needed for this statement|date=July 2017}}''' (in Standard Tibetan), '''Droklam''' (in Dzongkha{{Citation needed|reason=source needed for this statement|date=July 2017}} and [[Yadong County|Chomo]] Tibetan{{Citation needed|reason=source needed for this statement|date=July 2017}}) or '''Donglang''' (Mandarin {{zh|c=洞朗|p=Dòng lǎng}}) is a narrow plateau lying in the tri-junction region of [[Bhutan]], [[China]] and [[India]]. Doklam falls within the modern day [[Yadong County|Yadong county]] of Tibetan Autonomous Region. It is a disputed territory claimed by both Bhutan and China. It is situated roughly 15 kilometers southeast of the [[Nathu La]] pass that separates India and China. Doklam is part of the [[Chumbi Valley]] that lies primarily in Tibet<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=History of Tibet|last=McKay|first=Alex|publisher=Routledge Curzon|year=2003|isbn=9780415308427|location=London|pages=142}}</ref>. On the western edge of the Doklam plateau is Doka La, a pass at {{coord|27|17|22|N|88|54|50|E|display=inline}} connecting the Indian state of [[Sikkim]] with either [[Tibet]] in China according to numerous Chinese government statements and maps <ref>{{Cite news|last=Dutta |first=Sujan |date=5 July 2017 |title=Sikkim standoff: Doka La incursions betray Chinese intentions of getting behind Indian, Bhutanese defences |newspaper=Firstpost |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/sikkim-standoff-doka-la-incursions-betray-chinese-intentions-of-getting-behind-indian-bhutanese-defences-3778973.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705140014/http://www.firstpost.com/india/sikkim-standoff-doka-la-incursions-betray-chinese-intentions-of-getting-behind-indian-bhutanese-defences-3778973.html |archive-date=6 July 2017 |dead-url=no |df=dmy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/sikkim-standoff-china-releases-map-to-prove-its-claim-over-tri-junction-border-3766399.html|title=Sikkim standoff: China releases 'map' to prove its claim over tri-junction border|date=1 July 2017|publisher=|accessdate=6 July 2017}}</ref> or linking Sikkim and western Bhutan according to equally numerous maps and statements from the Bhutan and India governments.


China and Bhutan have agreed via written agreements of 1988 and 1998 that both countries will agree to maintain peace and the status quo in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.bt/press-releases/press-release-272.html|title=Press Release – Ministry of Foreign Affairs|website=www.mfa.gov.bt|accessdate=6 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/2335-bo-news-about-bhutanchina_talks_end_in_agreement.aspx|title=Bhutan-China talks end in agreement - Bhutan Observer|first=|last=greenmindz.com|website=www.bhutanobserver.bt|accessdate=6 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bhutannewsnetwork.com/2017/06/india-enters-into-bhutan-china-border-conflict/|title=India enters into Bhutan-China border conflict – Bhutan News Network|website=www.bhutannewsnetwork.com|accessdate=6 July 2017}}</ref> In 2017, China attempted to extend a road in a sector of Doklam triggering a stand-off between China and India and a demarche against China from Bhutan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.bt/press-releases/press-release-272.html|title=Press Release – Ministry of Foreign Affairs|website=www.mfa.gov.bt|accessdate=6 July 2017}}</ref>
The Anglo-Chinese treaty of 1890 was signed between the British Commissioner A.W. Paul and the Chinese Commissioner Ho Chang-Jung to negotiate trade relations and demarcate boundary along the Chumbi Valley<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=http://treaties.fco.gov.uk/docs/pdf/1894/TS0011.pdf|title=Anglo-Chinese Treaty of 1890|last=|first=|publisher=British Foreign Office|year=1894|isbn=|location=London|pages=3}}</ref>.China and Bhutan have agreed via written agreements of 1988 and 1998 that both countries will agree to maintain peace and the status quo in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.bt/press-releases/press-release-272.html|title=Press Release – Ministry of Foreign Affairs|website=www.mfa.gov.bt|accessdate=6 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/2335-bo-news-about-bhutanchina_talks_end_in_agreement.aspx|title=Bhutan-China talks end in agreement - Bhutan Observer|first=|last=greenmindz.com|website=www.bhutanobserver.bt|accessdate=6 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bhutannewsnetwork.com/2017/06/india-enters-into-bhutan-china-border-conflict/|title=India enters into Bhutan-China border conflict – Bhutan News Network|website=www.bhutannewsnetwork.com|accessdate=6 July 2017}}</ref> In 2017, China attempted to extend a road in a sector of Doklam triggering a stand-off between China and India and a demarche against China from Bhutan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.bt/press-releases/press-release-272.html|title=Press Release – Ministry of Foreign Affairs|website=www.mfa.gov.bt|accessdate=6 July 2017}}</ref>

== The Treat of 1890 and the British ==
The status of Chumbi Valley, where Doklam lies, was negotiated in a bilateral treaty between the British and the Chinese royal mission<ref name=":1" />. The treaty states that representatives of Sikkim and Tibet were part of these negotiation, but records have proved that they weren't present during the negotiations in Calcutta<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=http://treaties.fco.gov.uk/docs/pdf/1894/TS0011.pdf|title=Anglo-Chinese Treaty of 1890|last=|first=|publisher=British Foreign Office|year=1894|isbn=|location=London|pages=1}}</ref><ref name=":0" />. The territorial boundary between Sikkim and Tibet was decided upon in the following manner, "The boundary of Sikkim and Tibet shall be the crest of the mountain range separating the waters flowing into the Sikkim Teesta and its affluents from the waters flowing into the Tibetan Mochu and northwards into other Rivers of Tibet. The line commences at Mount Gipmochi on the Bhutan frontier, and follows the above-mentioned water-parting to the point where it meets Nipal territory" (Anglo-Chinese treaty of 1890)<ref name=":2" />.


==2017 Doklam crisis==
==2017 Doklam crisis==

Revision as of 07:09, 19 July 2017

Doklam
Map of Bhutan. The Doklam region is south of the Chumbi Valley shown above. It is not labeled above, but is marked on this map
Traditional Chinese洞朗
Simplified Chinese洞朗
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinDòng lǎng

Doklam, Zhoglam[citation needed] (in Standard Tibetan), Droklam (in Dzongkha[citation needed] and Chomo Tibetan[citation needed]) or Donglang (Mandarin Chinese: 洞朗; pinyin: Dòng lǎng) is a narrow plateau lying in the tri-junction region of Bhutan, China and India. Doklam falls within the modern day Yadong county of Tibetan Autonomous Region. It is a disputed territory claimed by both Bhutan and China. It is situated roughly 15 kilometers southeast of the Nathu La pass that separates India and China. Doklam is part of the Chumbi Valley that lies primarily in Tibet[1]. On the western edge of the Doklam plateau is Doka La, a pass at 27°17′22″N 88°54′50″E / 27.28944°N 88.91389°E / 27.28944; 88.91389 connecting the Indian state of Sikkim with either Tibet in China according to numerous Chinese government statements and maps [2][3] or linking Sikkim and western Bhutan according to equally numerous maps and statements from the Bhutan and India governments.

The Anglo-Chinese treaty of 1890 was signed between the British Commissioner A.W. Paul and the Chinese Commissioner Ho Chang-Jung to negotiate trade relations and demarcate boundary along the Chumbi Valley[4].China and Bhutan have agreed via written agreements of 1988 and 1998 that both countries will agree to maintain peace and the status quo in the region.[5][6][7] In 2017, China attempted to extend a road in a sector of Doklam triggering a stand-off between China and India and a demarche against China from Bhutan.[8]

The Treat of 1890 and the British

The status of Chumbi Valley, where Doklam lies, was negotiated in a bilateral treaty between the British and the Chinese royal mission[4]. The treaty states that representatives of Sikkim and Tibet were part of these negotiation, but records have proved that they weren't present during the negotiations in Calcutta[9][1]. The territorial boundary between Sikkim and Tibet was decided upon in the following manner, "The boundary of Sikkim and Tibet shall be the crest of the mountain range separating the waters flowing into the Sikkim Teesta and its affluents from the waters flowing into the Tibetan Mochu and northwards into other Rivers of Tibet. The line commences at Mount Gipmochi on the Bhutan frontier, and follows the above-mentioned water-parting to the point where it meets Nipal territory" (Anglo-Chinese treaty of 1890)[9].

2017 Doklam crisis

In June 2017, Doka La became the site of a stand-off between the armed forces of India and China following an attempt by China to extend a road from Yadong further southward on the Doklam plateau. Unlike China and Bhutan, India does not have a claim on Doklam; however, India supports Bhutan's claim on the territory. Official[clarification needed] sources have said, "China is believed to have not taken kindly to India building many new bunkers and upgrading older ones along the border in Sikkim in the recent past to augment its defences against the People's Liberation Army (PLA)."[10] In retaliation of India's prevention of road construction by China in the disputed area also claimed by China, the Chinese road building crew destroyed an Indian Army bunker in late June.[10]

In a 1949 treaty, Bhutan agreed to let India guide its foreign policy and defense affairs. In 2007, the treaty was superseded by a new friendship treaty that replaced the provision that made it mandatory for Bhutan to take India's guidance on foreign policy with broader sovereignty and not require Bhutan to obtain India's permission over arms imports.[11][12] Article 2 of the 2007 Friendship Treaty signed by India and Bhutan in 2007 states:

“In keeping with the abiding ties of close friendship and cooperation between Bhutan and India, the Government of the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Government of the Republic of India shall cooperate closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests.”[13]

Former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador of India to China, Nirupama Rao said about the dispute,

"Bhutan and India enjoy the closest relationship of mutual trust and confidence and enduring friendship. There is absolutely no controversy about military-to-military cooperation and understanding between our two countries. India holds Bhutanese sovereignty as sacred and inviolable."[13]

India and Bhutan voluntarily still maintain very strong comprehensive ties,[14][15][16][17] parts of which are focused at mutually countering aggression from China.[18] Bhutan has no diplomatic ties with China.[19] Bhutan formally protested against China's incursion into its territory and sought India's help under the friendship treaty against Chinese incursion.[20] Near the disputed area inside Bhutan, India maintains an Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) and Indian Army Corps of Engineers' Border Roads Organisation has built over 15 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) roads, airports, helipads, etc. for Bhutan's defence and transport.[21][22][23] Ambassador of Bhutan to India Vetsop Namgyel stated,

"Doklam is a disputed territory and Bhutan has a written agreement with China that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, peace and tranquillity should be maintained in the area."

China has violated this 'peace agreement' by trying to construct roads in Doklam.[24]

India has criticized China for "crossing the border" and attempting to construct a road (allegedly done "illegally"), while China has criticized India for entering its "territory".[19]

On June 29, 2017, Bhutan protested to China against the construction of a road in the disputed territory.[25] On the same day, the Bhutanese border was put on high alert and border security was tightened as a result of the growing tensions.[26] On the same day, China released a map claiming that Doklam and parts of Sikkim belonged to China. China claimed, via the map, that territory up until Gipmochi belonged to China and claimed it was supported by the 1890 Britain-China treaty.[27] On July 3, 2017 China told India that former Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru accepted the 1890 Britain-China treaty.[28] China claimed on July 5, 2017 it had for the past 24 months a "basic consensus" with Bhutan that Doklam belonged to China, and there was no dispute between the two countries.[29] Contrary to Chinese claim, Nehru’s 26th September 1959 letter to Zhou, cited by China, was a point-by-point refutation of the claims made by the latter on September 8, 1959. Nehru made is amply clear in his refutal that the 1890 treaty defined only the northern part of the Sikkim-Tibet border and not the tri-junction area. Nehru wrote,

“rectification of errors in Chinese maps regarding the boundary of Bhutan with Tibet is therefore a matter which has to be discussed along with the boundary of India with the Tibet region of China in the same sector."

The Chinese had quoted Nehru's statement out of context, as Nehru in his reply had made it clear boundaries of Sikkim and Bhutan did not fall within the scope of the discussion,

“This Convention of 1890 also defined the boundary between Sikkim and Tibet; and the boundary was later, in 1895, demarcated. There is thus no dispute regarding the boundary of Sikkim with the Tibet region.”[30]

On this clarification, Chinese official spokeman replied

"The so-called tri-junction, as the name suggests, is a point. It is not a line, much less an area. India misinterprets tri-junction point as an area, from ulterior motives. This time, the trespassing point of India army, is on the Sikkim-China border, which is 2000 meters away from the tri-junction point, Mount Gipmochi, by the 1890 Treaty." [31]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b McKay, Alex (2003). History of Tibet. London: Routledge Curzon. p. 142. ISBN 9780415308427.
  2. ^ Dutta, Sujan (5 July 2017). "Sikkim standoff: Doka La incursions betray Chinese intentions of getting behind Indian, Bhutanese defences". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 2017-07-05 suggested (help); Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Sikkim standoff: China releases 'map' to prove its claim over tri-junction border". 1 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  4. ^ a b Anglo-Chinese Treaty of 1890 (PDF). London: British Foreign Office. 1894. p. 3.
  5. ^ "Press Release – Ministry of Foreign Affairs". www.mfa.gov.bt. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  6. ^ greenmindz.com. "Bhutan-China talks end in agreement - Bhutan Observer". www.bhutanobserver.bt. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  7. ^ "India enters into Bhutan-China border conflict – Bhutan News Network". www.bhutannewsnetwork.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  8. ^ "Press Release – Ministry of Foreign Affairs". www.mfa.gov.bt. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  9. ^ a b Anglo-Chinese Treaty of 1890 (PDF). London: British Foreign Office. 1894. p. 1.
  10. ^ a b Staff (28 June 2017). "Indian bunker in Sikkim removed by China: Sources". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Asia Times Online
  12. ^ Tribune India
  13. ^ a b Devirupa Mitra, Six Expert Views on How India Should Look at the Latest Border Stand-Off With China, The Wire, 05 July 2017.
  14. ^ "India's Modi heads to Bhutan to woo neighbours". Channel NewsAsia. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  15. ^ "India, Bhutan to enhance economic ties as PM Modi pitches for 'B2B' links". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  16. ^ "Modi inaugurates Bhutan's Supreme Court building". Business Standard. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  17. ^ "Bhutan Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi". NDTV. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  18. ^ Rajeev Sharma. "NE terror, China: What's on PM Modi's Bhutan trip agenda?". Firstpost. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  19. ^ a b Som, Vishnu (29 June 2017). Shukla, Shuchi (ed.). "At Heart Of India-China Standoff, A Road Being Built: 10 Points". NDTV. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Smriti Jain, India China standoff over Bhutan Doklam region: Is a 1962-like war on the cards, as claimed by Chinese media?, The Financial Express, 5 July 2017.
  21. ^ "Dantak". Border Roads Organisation. Government of India. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  22. ^ "Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT), Bhutan". Indian Army. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  23. ^ Choden, Tashi (Winter 2004). "Indo-Bhutan Relations Recent Trends" (PDF). Journal of Bhutan Studies. 11 (6). Centre for Bhutan Studies: 119. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  24. ^ Sikkim standoff: Beijing should realise Bhutan is as important to India as North Korea is to China, First Post, 30 June 2017.
  25. ^ "Bhutan protests against China's road construction". The Straits Times. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  26. ^ "Bhutan issues scathing statement against China, claims Beijing violated border agreements of 1988, 1998". Firstpost. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  27. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: China releases new map showing territorial claims at stand-off site". Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  28. ^ "Nehru Accepted 1890 Treaty; India Using Bhutan to Cover up Entry: China". Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  29. ^ PTI (5 July 2017). "No dispute with Bhutan in Doklam: China". Retrieved 6 July 2017 – via The Economic Times.
  30. ^ A.S. Nazir Ahamad, Did Nehru really accept the Sino-British Treaty as final word on the border issue?, The Hindu, 4 July 2017.
  31. ^ "Ulterior motives: so-called "tri-junction"". Southern Daily, China. 8 July 2017.


Stub icon

This article about a geographical location is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doklam&oldid=791280369"