8/1/2017 Doklam - Wikipedia

Doklam
Coordinates: 2718N 8856E

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Doklam, Zhoglam (in Standard Tibetan), nDroklam (in

Dzongkha and Chomo Tibetan) or Donglang (Mandarin Doklam
Chinese: ; pinyin: Dnglng) is a narrow plateau lying in
the tri-junction region of Bhutan, China and India. Doklam lies
close to the modern day Yadong county of Tibetan Autonomous
Region and the Ha valley of Bhutan. Historically Doklam was
part of the Yatung trading market of Tibet, and was in the
vicinity of a Buddhist monastery, Dungkar and a Bon monastery
named PumoGon[1]. It is a disputed territory claimed by both
Bhutan and China. Doklam is situated roughly 15 kilometers
southeast of the Nathu La pass that separates India and China
and about 30 kilometers southwest of the Dramana Chhu (river)
area often shown (Google Maps, World Factbook map on this
page) as disputed between Bhutan and China.[2] Doklam is part
of the Chumbi Valley that lies primarily in Tibet[3]. On the
Map of Bhutan. The Doklam region is south of the
western edge of the Doklam plateau is Doka La, marked as
Troka La on some old maps, a pass at 271722N 885450E Chumbi Valley shown above. It is not labeled
connecting the Indian state of Sikkim with either Tibet in China above, but is marked on this map (http://www.opens
according to numerous Chinese government statements and treetmap.org/relation/3964647)
maps [4][5] or linking Sikkim and western Bhutan according to Traditional Chinese
equally numerous maps and statements from the Bhutan and
India governments. Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
The Anglo-Chinese treaty of 1890 was signed between the
British Commissioner A.W. Paul and the Chinese Commissioner Standard Mandarin
Ho Chang-Jung to negotiate trade relations and demarcate Hanyu Pinyin Dng lng
boundary along the Chumbi Valley[6]. China and Bhutan have
agreed via written agreements of 1988 and 1998 that both countries will maintain peace and the status quo in the
region.[7][8][9] 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.[7]

Contents
1 Treaty of 1890 and the British
2 Bhutan and China border agreements 1988 and 1998
3 2017 Doklam crisis
4 See also
5 References

Treaty 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.[6] The treaty states that representatives of Sikkim and Tibet were part of these negotiations,
but records show that they were not present during the negotiations in Calcutta.[10][3] The territorial boundary

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between Sikkim and Tibet was delineated 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)[10]

The Mochu River today is more commonly called the Amo Chu or, further south, the Torsa River. The Diplomat
has commented that the continuous mountain crest or watershed appears to begin very near Batang La, four km
north of Doka La and six km north of Mount Gipmochi (Gymo Chen), and that this suggests a contradiction
between the two sentences of the above article of the treaty.[11] This Batang La location is depicted and claimed as
the tripoint by Bhutan and India.

Bhutan and China border agreements 1988 and 1998

Bhutan and China have held 24 rounds of boundary talks since it began in 1984. The Royal Government of Bhutan
claims that the present road construction on the Doklam Plateau amounts to unilateral change to a disputed
boundary by China in violation to the 1988 and 1998 agreements between the two nations. The agreement also
prohibits the use of force and encourages both parties to strictly adhere to use peaceful means.

"Boundary talks are ongoing between Bhutan and China and we have written agreements of 1988 and
1998 stating that the two sides agree to maintain peace and tranquility in their border areas pending a
final settlement on the boundary question, and to maintain status quo on the boundary as before March
1959. The agreements also state that the two sides will refrain from taking unilateral action, or use of
force, to change the status quo of the boundary."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan.[12]

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.[13]
According to the Bhutanese government, China attempted to extend a road that previously terminated at Doka La
towards the Bhutan Army camp at Zompelri near the Jampheri Ridge two km to the south; that ridge, viewed as the
border by China but as wholly within Bhutan by both Bhutan and India, extends eastward approaching India's
highly-strategic Siliguri corridor.[14] On 18 June, Indian troops apparently crossed into the territory in dispute
between China and Bhutan in an attempt to prevent the road construction.[15] In a 1949 treaty, Bhutan agreed to let
India guide its foreign policy and defence 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, providing
broader sovereignty to Bhutan and not requiring it to obtain India's permission over arms imports.[16][17] 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.[18]
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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."[18]

India and Bhutan voluntarily still maintain very strong comprehensive ties,[19][20][21][22] parts of which are focused
at mutually countering aggression from China.[23] Bhutan has no diplomatic ties with China.[24] Bhutan formally
protested against China's incursion into its territory and sought India's help under the friendship treaty against
Chinese incursion.[25] Near the disputed area inside Bhutan, India maintains an Indian Military Training Team
(IMTRAT) and the 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.[26][27][28] 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."

India charges that China has violated this 'peace agreement' by trying to construct roads in Doklam.[29]

India has criticised China for "crossing the border" and attempting to construct a road (allegedly done "illegally"),
while China has criticised India for entering its "territory".[24]

On 29 June 2017, Bhutan protested to China against the construction of a road in the disputed territory.[30] On the
same day, the Bhutanese border was put on high alert and border security was tightened as a result of the growing
tensions.[31] On the same day, China released a map depicting Doklam as part of China. China claimed, via the
map, that territory south to Gipmochi belonged to China and claimed it was supported by the 1890 Britain-China
treaty.[32] On 3 July 2017, China told India that former Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru accepted the 1890
Britain-China treaty.[33] China claimed on 5 July 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.[34] Contrary to
Chinese claim, Nehrus 26 September 1959 letter to Zhou, cited by China, was a point-by-point refutation of the
claims made by the latter on 8 September 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".[35]

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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 metres away from the tri-junction point,
Mount Gipmochi, by the 1890 Treaty." [36]

On 19 July 2017 China renewed its call for India to withdraw its troops from Doklam. It followed reports that
claimed China held live firing drills in the region.[37]

See also
BhutanChina border Senkaku Islands dispute
BhutanChina relations Sino-Indian border dispute
BhutanIndia relations Territorial disputes in the South China Sea
ChinaIndia relations
Senkaku Islands dispute
References

1. www.inetlab.co.uk, David Harris,. "Dungkar Monastery, Chumbi Valley" (http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_B

MH.A.85.1.html). tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
2. "TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND RESOLUTIONS OF THE 82ND SESSION OF THE
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF BHUTAN" (http://www.nab.gov.bt/assets/uploads/docs/resolution/2014/82nd
_Session.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved 20 July 2017.
3. McKay, Alex (2003). History of Tibet. London: Routledge Curzon. p. 142. ISBN 9780415308427.
4. Dutta, Sujan (5 July 2017). "Sikkim standoff: Doka La incursions betray Chinese intentions of getting
behind Indian, Bhutanese defences" (http://www.firstpost.com/india/sikkim-standoff-doka-la-incursions-betr
ay-chinese-intentions-of-getting-behind-indian-bhutanese-defences-3778973.html). Firstpost. Archived (http
s://web.archive.org/web/20170705140014/http://www.firstpost.com/india/sikkim-standoff-doka-la-incursion
s-betray-chinese-intentions-of-getting-behind-indian-bhutanese-defences-3778973.html) from the original on
6 July 2017.
5. "Sikkim standoff: China releases 'map' to prove its claim over tri-junction border" (http://www.firstpost.com/
world/sikkim-standoff-china-releases-map-to-prove-its-claim-over-tri-junction-border-3766399.html). 1 July
2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
6. Anglo-Chinese Treaty of 1890 (http://treaties.fco.gov.uk/docs/pdf/1894/TS0011.pdf) (PDF). London: British
Foreign Office. 1894. p. 3.
7. "Press Release Ministry of Foreign Affairs" (http://www.mfa.gov.bt/press-releases/press-release-272.html).
www.mfa.gov.bt. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
8. greenmindz.com. "Bhutan-China talks end in agreement - Bhutan Observer" (http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/
2335-bo-news-about-bhutanchina_talks_end_in_agreement.aspx). www.bhutanobserver.bt. Retrieved 6 July
2017.
9. "India enters into Bhutan-China border conflict Bhutan News Network" (http://www.bhutannewsnetwork.c
om/2017/06/india-enters-into-bhutan-china-border-conflict/). www.bhutannewsnetwork.com. Retrieved
6 July 2017.
10. Anglo-Chinese Treaty of 1890 (http://treaties.fco.gov.uk/docs/pdf/1894/TS0011.pdf) (PDF). London: British
Foreign Office. 1894. p. 1.
11. Ankit Panda, The Political Geography of the India-China Crisis at Doklam (http://thediplomat.com/2017/07/
the-political-geography-of-the-india-china-crisis-at-doklam/), The Diplomat, 13 July 2017.
12. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Jul 29, 2017). "Press Release" (http://www.mfa.gov.bt/press-releases/press-relea
se-272.html). The Royal Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
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13. Staff (28 June 2017). "Indian bunker in Sikkim removed by China: Sources" (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.c
om/india/indian-bunker-in-sikkim-removed-by-china-sources/articleshow/59354787.cms). The Times of
India. Archived (http://www.webcitation.org/6rkUEInnv?http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indian-bu
nker-in-sikkim-removed-by-china-sources/articleshow/59354787.cms) from the original on 6 July 2017.
14. Shaurya Karanbir Gurung Behind China's Sikkim aggression, a plan to isolate Northeast from rest of India
(http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/border-face-off-why-china-tries-to-break-chickens-neck
-to-isolate-northeast/articleshow/59420472.cms/), Economic Times, 3 July 2017.
15. Ankit Panda, What's Driving the India-China Standoff at Doklam? (http://thediplomat.com/2017/07/whats-dr
iving-the-india-china-standoff-at-doklam/), The Diplomat, 18 July 2017.
16. Online, Asia Time. "Asia Times Online :: South Asia news, business and economy from India and Pakistan"
(http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IA17Df02.html). www.atimes.com. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
horizontal tab character in |title= at position 76 (help)
17. "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Editorial" (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020405/edit.htm#5).
www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
18. Devirupa Mitra, Six Expert Views on How India Should Look at the Latest Border Stand-Off With China (ht
tps://thewire.in/154449/expert-gyan-india-china-bhutan/), The Wire (https://thewire.in), 05 July 2017.
19. "India's Modi heads to Bhutan to woo neighbours" (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/india
-s-modi-heads-to/1160430.html). Channel NewsAsia. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
20. "India, Bhutan to enhance economic ties as PM Modi pitches for 'B2B' links" (http://www.hindustantimes.co
m/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-arrives-to-a-grand-welcome-in-bhutan/article1-1229665.aspx). Hindustan
Times. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
21. "Modi inaugurates Bhutan's Supreme Court building" (http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/m
odi-inaugurates-bhutan-s-supreme-court-building-114061500581_1.html). Business Standard. Retrieved
15 June 2014.
22. "Bhutan Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi" (http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bh
utan-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-for-prime-minister-narendra-modi-541836). NDTV. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
23. Rajeev Sharma. "NE terror, China: What's on PM Modi's Bhutan trip agenda?" (http://www.firstpost.com/wo
rld/ne-terror-china-whats-on-pm-modis-bhutan-trip-agenda-1571127.html). Firstpost. Retrieved 15 June
2014.
24. Som, Vishnu (29 June 2017). Shukla, Shuchi, ed. "At Heart Of India-China Standoff, A Road Being Built:
10 Points" (http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amid-india-china-standoff-army-chief-in-sikkim-today-10-facts
-1718311). NDTV. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20170629084547/http://www.ndtv.com/india-new
s/amid-india-china-standoff-army-chief-in-sikkim-today-10-facts-1718311) from the original on 29 June
2017.
25. Smriti Jain, India China standoff over Bhutan Doklam region: Is a 1962-like war on the cards, as claimed by
Chinese media? (http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/india-china-sikkim-border-standoff-2017-bhut
an-doklam-1962-war-chinese-media-defence-experts/750439/), The Financial Express, 5 July 2017.
26. "Dantak" (http://www.bro.nic.in/indexmain.asp?projectid=23). Border Roads Organisation. Government of
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27. "Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT), Bhutan" (https://web.archive.org/web/20090619071032/http://in
dianarmy.nic.in/index_imtrat.htm). Indian Army. Archived from the original (http://indianarmy.nic.in/index_
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er-agreements-of-1988-1998-3760587.html). Firstpost. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-30.

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32. "EXCLUSIVE: China releases new map showing territorial claims at stand-off site" (http://indiatoday.intoda
y.in/story/china-releases-new-map-territorial-claims-stand-off-site/1/991733.html). Retrieved 6 July 2017.
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34. PTI (5 July 2017). "No dispute with Bhutan in Doklam: China" (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
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37. "China holds live-fire drills in disputed Himalayan territory, tells India to withdraw" (http://www.arabnews.c
om/node/1131641/world). 19 July 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.

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