Home > Topics > Doklam

Doklam

Doklam plateau has been a bone of contention between China and Bhutan for several years with serious security implications for India too. Indian and Chinese troops were involved in a tense standoff for 73 days from June to August 2017 in the Doklam region, which is at the tri-junction border of India, Bhutan and China, after the latter attempted to build roads in the plateau. Chinese troops reached Doklam in early June with heavy machinery including bulldozers and excavators to build road in the region. Control of Doklam plateau would have given the Chinese troops a direct view of the Indian territory around Siliguri, which is extremely critical strategically for India as the narrow strip of land connects the Northeast to the mainland.

The Siliguri corridor is just 17 kilometres wide at some places and is known as Chicken's Neck. All the land routes from West Bengal to Assam and other Northeastern states pass through the corridor. Maintaining a credible defence force in the Northeast depends on securing the Siliguri corridor and if Chinese troops control Doklam overlooking the area, they can potentially choke supplies to Indian forces stationed in the Northeast.

As the Northeast is completely landlocked, road and rail routes are the lifeline for the region. Any threat to the Chicken's Neck will jeopardise Indian defences in the Northeast, parts of which are claimed by China. Supplying troops through the aerial route will only result in limited provisions and may not be enough in the event of a war with China.

So, who controls Doklam, an area of almost 269 square kilometres in western Bhutan, becomes crucial. Doklam plateau belongs to Bhutan but the security of the area is India's responsibility as the former has no diplomatic ties with China. After Chinese troops reached Doklam to construct roads to link the Chinese territory of Yadong to Doklam, Indian Army moved to the area to confront them.

Troops of both the countries were involved in pushing and shoving each other, raising the temperature along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Chinese media kept on harping that it was India that was the intruder. On the other hand India advocated talks to resolve the standoff as the two sides had agreed in 2012 to settle any dispute related to the Bhutanese territory of Doklam through joint consultation between the three countries.

The 73-day standoff at Doklam finally ended on August 28 after both India and China decided to disengage their troops. But China has stationed it troops a few kilometres from Doklam and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made an aerial survey of the Doklam-Nathula stretch on October 7.

While the Ministry of External Affairs has maintained that Chinese troops are not in Doklam, Indian Army has been on high alert. Nirmala Sitharaman met Army commander of Gangtok-based 17 Mountain Division, which is tasked with ensuring Doklam's security.

China Building Illegal Villages in Disputed Bhutan Territory, Less Than 30 KM From Doklam: Report
India.com News Desk | January 13, 2022 11:17 PM IST
In 2017, China was carrying out infrastructural development work at Doklam, to which India had
China Building Illegal Villages in Disputed Bhutan Territory, Less Than 30 KM From Doklam: Report
indiacom
2022-01-13T12:17:45+00:00
2022-01-13T12:20:11+00:00
Doklam
India.com
China Continues Construction Along Indo-Tibet Border; Crosses India's Red Lines Drawn During Doklam Standoff
India.com News Desk | December 1, 2020 5:46 PM IST
Even though the Indian Army had tried to stop the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) from advancing
China Continues Construction Along Indo-Tibet Border; Crosses India's Red Lines Drawn During Doklam Standoff
indiacom
2020-12-01T06:46:15+00:00
2020-12-01T06:46:41+00:00
Doklam
India.com
Chinese Ammunition Bunkers Part of Villages Set Up Near Dolkam Face-Off Site, Show Satellite Images
India.com News Desk | November 23, 2020 7:47 PM IST
Military observers said the new construction could indicate that the Chinese forces are enhancing
Chinese Ammunition Bunkers Part of Villages Set Up Near Dolkam Face-Off Site, Show Satellite Images
indiacom
2020-11-23T08:47:51+00:00
2020-11-23T09:14:21+00:00
Doklam
India.com
China Occupies Part of Bhutan, Sets up Village Close to Doklam Clash Site: Report
India.com News Desk | November 20, 2020 7:14 AM IST
If the report is to believed, a senior journalist with Chinese state media had posted the images of
China Occupies Part of Bhutan, Sets up Village Close to Doklam Clash Site: Report
indiacom
2020-11-19T20:14:27+00:00
2020-11-19T20:14:39+00:00
Doklam
India.com
India-China Talks on Ladakh Remain Inconclusive Again Amid Reports of Fresh Tensions in Doklam
India.com News Desk | September 22, 2020 5:40 PM IST
The Indian side urged China to maintain the five-point agreement reached between the two nations in
India-China Talks on Ladakh Remain Inconclusive Again Amid Reports of Fresh Tensions in Doklam
indiacom
2020-09-22T06:40:43+00:00
2020-09-22T06:40:43+00:00
Doklam
India.com
IPL 2020: Education Technology Platform Unacademy Picks Bid Papers, Set to Fight For IPL Title Sponsorship Rights
India.com Sports Desk | August 12, 2020 5:03 PM IST
BCCI is desperately seeking a title sponsor for IPL after Vivo quit in the wake of the anti-China
IPL 2020: Education Technology Platform Unacademy Picks Bid Papers, Set to Fight For IPL Title Sponsorship Ri
indiacom
2020-08-12T06:03:38+00:00
2020-08-12T07:02:26+00:00
Doklam
India.com
So Happy That TikTok Is Gone, Hated Animal Animal Abuse Videos on it: Heena Sidhu
IANS | June 30, 2020 8:30 PM IST
The government on Monday banned 59 Chinese apps over national security concerns as India-China
So Happy That TikTok Is Gone, Hated Animal Animal Abuse Videos on it: Heena Sidhu
indiacom
2020-06-30T09:30:34+00:00
2020-06-30T09:30:34+00:00
Doklam
India.com
Three Years After Doklam, Indian And Chinese Troops Clash in North Sikkim
India.com News Desk | May 10, 2020 10:30 AM IST
According to reports, a total of four Indian and seven Chinese troops sustained injuries during the
Three Years After Doklam, Indian And Chinese Troops Clash in North Sikkim
indiacom
2020-05-09T23:30:01+00:00
2020-05-09T23:30:01+00:00
Doklam
India.com
Standoff Between Indian, Chinese Troops in Ladakh Ends After Delegation-level Talks
India.com News Desk | September 12, 2019 10:31 AM IST
Indian Army said such incidents happen due to differing perceptions of the LAC and there are
Standoff Between Indian, Chinese Troops in Ladakh Ends After Delegation-level Talks
indiacom
2019-09-11T23:31:50+00:00
2019-09-11T23:31:50+00:00
Doklam
India.com
Army Vice-Chief Designate's Strong Words on China, Says 'We Stood up to The Bully in Doklam'
India.com News Desk | August 27, 2019 8:37 PM IST
On the 1962 war, the officer said that he does not see it as a 'black mark' on the Indian Army
Army Vice-Chief Designate's Strong Words on China, Says 'We Stood up to The Bully in Doklam'
indiacom
2019-08-27T09:37:26+00:00
2019-08-27T09:37:26+00:00
Doklam
India.com
No Dialogue on Doklam, Always Believed Will Come to Logical Conclusion: Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering
India.com News Desk | August 18, 2019 3:53 PM IST
Last year, China offered 269 sq km of area in the western sector to Bhutan in lieu of 100 sq km in
No Dialogue on Doklam, Always Believed Will Come to Logical Conclusion: Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering
indiacom
2019-08-18T04:53:14+00:00
2019-08-18T04:54:37+00:00
Doklam
India.com
Chinese Army Wants Peaceful Resolution of Doklam Stand-off, Working For Stability Along Border
IANS | July 24, 2019 2:49 PM IST
The two armies almost came to blows in 2017 when Indian soldiers halted a road construction by the
Chinese Army Wants Peaceful Resolution of Doklam Stand-off, Working For Stability Along Border
indiacom
2019-07-24T03:49:45+00:00
2019-07-24T03:49:45+00:00
Doklam
India.com
Modi-led Govt Displayed Strong Will Power, Forced China to Retreat in Doklam: Yogi Adityanath
India.com News Desk | April 6, 2019 2:27 PM IST
At the Hojai rally on Saturday, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said that the Indian soldiers gave
Modi-led Govt Displayed Strong Will Power, Forced China to Retreat in Doklam: Yogi Adityanath
indiacom
2019-04-06T03:27:23+00:00
2019-04-06T03:27:23+00:00
Doklam
India.com
Par panel concerned over Chinese infra close to Doklam
PTI Feeds | December 17, 2018 8:09 PM IST
At the Hojai rally on Saturday, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said that the Indian soldiers gave
Par panel concerned over Chinese infra close to Doklam
indiacom
2018-12-17T09:09:57+00:00
2018-12-17T09:09:57+00:00
Doklam
India.com
India, China Hold Defence Talks a Year After Doklam Standoff, Agree to Enhance Military Exchanges
India.com News Desk | November 15, 2018 12:04 PM IST
This dialogue did not take place last year because of the 73-day stand-off at Doklam from June 16.
India, China Hold Defence Talks a Year After Doklam Standoff, Agree to Enhance Military Exchanges
indiacom
2018-11-15T01:04:27+00:00
2018-11-15T01:04:27+00:00
Doklam
India.com
Arunachal Pradesh: Chinese Troops Cross Line of Actual Control, Sent Back by Indian Army
India.com News Desk | October 15, 2018 1:30 PM IST
Last year, in August, India, and China decided to end their 73-day standoff between their troops at
Arunachal Pradesh: Chinese Troops Cross Line of Actual Control, Sent Back by Indian Army
indiacom
2018-10-15T02:30:03+00:00
2018-10-15T02:33:00+00:00
Doklam
India.com
Chinese Actions Suggest More Doklam-like Incidents in Future, Army Must Prepare: Former Military Commanders
India.com News Desk | September 15, 2018 10:24 AM IST
Speaking of the standoffs between the two countries such as Doklam, Chumar and Demchok, Lt Gen
Chinese Actions Suggest More Doklam-like Incidents in Future, Army Must Prepare: Former Military Commanders
indiacom
2018-09-14T23:24:39+00:00
2018-09-14T23:38:58+00:00
Doklam
India.com
India, China Take Another Step Towards Improving Relations; Set to Establish Hotline Between Defence Ministries
India.com News Desk | August 31, 2018 7:46 AM IST
Both the countries are also holding talks for a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the
India, China Take Another Step Towards Improving Relations; Set to Establish Hotline Between Defence Ministri
indiacom
2018-08-30T20:46:09+00:00
2018-08-30T20:46:09+00:00
Doklam
India.com
My Political Ideology Has Been Fighting With RSS Idea For Thousands of Years, Says Rahul Gandhi
India.com News Desk | August 26, 2018 12:02 AM IST
On being questioned on 'what shapes his political ideology', Gandhi said that his real change in
My Political Ideology Has Been Fighting With RSS Idea For Thousands of Years, Says Rahul Gandhi
indiacom
2018-08-25T13:02:51+00:00
2018-08-25T13:02:51+00:00
Doklam
India.com
Rahul Gandhi Stands by 'Chinese Still in Doklam' Claim, Accuses PM Modi of Not Discussing it With China
India.com News Desk | August 25, 2018 9:56 PM IST
"Chinese troops are still in Doklam and have built massive infrastructure there. PM went recently
Rahul Gandhi Stands by 'Chinese Still in Doklam' Claim, Accuses PM Modi of Not Discussing it With China
indiacom
2018-08-25T10:56:58+00:00
2018-08-25T11:19:55+00:00
Doklam
India.com