The Doklam standoff has officially come to an end. The three-month-long standoff at the disputed region in Bhutan had resulted in souring of ties between India and China and escalated the possibility of an armed conflict.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on August 28 saying that both India and China have decided to withdraw troops from the tri-junction.
The MEA said that Beijing has maintained diplomatic communications on the Doklam issue.
“In recent weeks, India and China have maintained diplomatic communication in respect of the incident at Doklam. During these communications, we were able to express our views and convey our concerns and interests,” the statement said.
“On this basis, expeditious disengagement of border personnel at the face-off site at Doklam has been agreed to and is on-going,” the MEA statement added.
After >2 months of sandlot mindgames, final proof of a mature relationship. Both sides agree to pull back troops. VERY good news. #Doklam
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) August 28, 2017
It should be noted that the Doklam incident was triggered after China decided to construct a road in the disputed territory. Bhutan opposed and sought India’s help. Indian Army troops entered Bhutan and thwarted China’s attempt.
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For the last three months, China upped its ante against India launching a concerted anti-India narrative across the media, political and cultural spectrum.
Chinese media houses, backed by the State, insulted India and Indian Army soldiers. Editorials in Chinese dailies tried to present India as an aggressor and threatened war. The Chinese envoy threatened India with “serious consequences” but was not kicked out.
While waiting for China statement on Doklam disengagement, interesting that People’s Daily has just put out the MEA statement on weibo pic.twitter.com/cvFvQJNgHH
— Ananth Krishnan (@ananthkrishnan) August 28, 2017
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Excellent news. In Beijing last week, one had got the inkling that diplomats were burning the midnight oil to resolve Dolam. Here it is! https://t.co/FXfnwhmQuA
— Nitin A. Gokhale (@nitingokhale) August 28, 2017
Yet in spite of all of this, New Delhi kept the diplomatic lines open and insisted on dialogue to end the crisis. The Government of India did not go for rhetoric and chose proper channels of communication to find a solution to the problem.
But the Chinese media is behaving just like the Chinese media. While the Indian media is displaying journalistic maturity, the Chinese are publishing this:
Breaking: China painting this as India’s withdrawal from Doklam, as was expected pic.twitter.com/rPpxhwF7C4
— Ananth Krishnan (@ananthkrishnan) August 28, 2017
China foreign ministry says Indian forces have already withdrawn &Chinese forces will continue to patrol in #Doklam: Reuters
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2017
But in the end, the fact remains that this is a victory of Indian diplomacy.
Given stark contrast in tone between India & China, I see this as a victory for Indian diplomacy. Held ground, nerve, didn’t get provoked.
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) August 28, 2017
