Doklam stand-off
The most self-evident lesson from the Doklam stand-off is that we inhabit a self-help world wherein Chi is a world power —India is on its own and would have to fend for itself in case of a clash with Chi, a country with which every major state in the intertiol system has a robust economic relationship. It is important to note that none of the major powers umbiguously and unreservedly supported India’s position on Doklam. In fact, even Bhutan kept a studied silence through the latter port of the stand-off. New Delhi, therefore, must carefully review the scerios and consider its options before upping the ante. Moreover, regarding Doklam, instead of inviting military attention to itself and trapping itself in a conflict with Beijing, New Delhi could have convinced Thimphu to be more vocal about Bhutan’s territorial rights.
Satish Kumar Sarma,
Kalyanpur, Biswath Chariali.