China and India should tone down the rhetoric on border dispute
Pride is driving the muscle-flexing. But with the risk of conflict so great, soldiers on both sides should back off so that the deadlock can be resolved by negotiators
Pride is driving the muscle-flexing. Both nations are vying for influence in South Asia and India is suspicious about Chinese intentions, the reason it has refused to join Beijing’s belt and road trade initiative. The nations still have numerous contested claims along their 3,500km border, but the latest stand-off, the most serious in three decades, does not involve any of the disputes. Instead, it has been driven by New Delhi’s wariness and a desire to show its military strength. Bhutan and China have held 24 rounds of border talks since 1984 and despite the obvious disagreements, the kingdom is capable of striking a deal. India has no role to play, just as it should not have sent its troops into disputed territory whether invited by Bhutan or out of concern for security.
But with the risk of conflict so great, Chinese and Indian soldiers should back off so that the deadlock can be resolved by negotiators.