India and China on the brink of war
Chinese road construction project in the Himalayas became the center of an escalating border dispute between India and China, with both sides accusing the other territorial intrusions.
Described by the Indian government as "a significant change in the status quo with serious security implications for India", the controversial road passes through a plateau Declama on the unmarked border between China and Bhutan. Although it is not part of the territory of India, the plateau has enormous strategic value for new Delhi and NCR, and is vital to its geopolitical interests.
"The territory in dispute is extremely close to the highly vulnerable area of Indian territory, which effectively connects a large part of India with its northeastern States," said senior researcher of the Royal Institute of joint services (RUSI) in London. "Additional construction may distort the local balance of power in favor of China, in fact, leaving India more vulnerable to invasion in the event of a military confrontation with Beijing."
Objections were first raised by the government of Bhutan issued a demarche, or official statement, accusing China in the construction of the road "within the territory of Bhutan" in "direct violation" of its obligations under the territorial contracts last week. India and Bhutan maintain a historically strong relationship. Bhutan cooperates with India to define its foreign policy, the Indian army is involved in training its armed forces.
China, which has no formal diplomatic relations with Bhutan, denies that he broke any agreements.
According to a senior fellow at the Council on foreign relations Eli Ratner, the current dispute is indicative of the problems China faces as a global leader.
"It shows how hard it will be for China to lead the region, when the principal elements of its foreign policy is so ideological, uncompromising and irreconcilable with its neighbours and other major powers."
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