Is another Doklam like situation erupting between Indian and Chinese border troops in the un-demarcated border region of Arunachal Pradesh? According to Indian defence ministry reports, the Chinese Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Arunachal Sector in the first week of October, thus challenging the Indian integrity in the region.
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According to reports, the Chinese soldiers entered about 1000 metres into Dibang Valley, a district in Arunachal Pradesh. The PLA troops later withdrew after the Indian Army conveyed to them that they have entered the Indian side. The incident happened 10 days ago. Both the armies are resolving such matters as per a set protocol, reported an Indian news channel.
Doklam Like Situation in Arunachal?
Two former top military commanders had suggested that the trajectory of Chinese actions suggests that there could be more Doklam-like incidents in the future and the Indian Army needs to build infrastructure in vulnerable border areas to prepare for it.
Earlier, Global Times warned of another Doklam-like standoff between India and Chinese troops. The article claimed, “India has been sending provocative signals to China since the Doklam standoff of summer 2017, which makes the already soured Sino-Indian relationship more fragile.”
Border guards of India and China were locked in a 73-day standoff in Doklam in the Sikkim sector from June 16 last year after the Indian side prevented the construction of a road in the disputed Tri-junction by the Chinese PLA. Bhutan and China have a dispute over Doklam and both the countries have been holding talks to resolve the issue.