Chinese infrastructure still present in Doklam: Panel
New Delhi: The much-awaited standing committee on Ministry of External affairs report on "Doklam crisis" was finally presented to the Speaker of Lok Sabha, Sumitra Mahajan.
Though the Committee put on record their highest appreciation for the brave and timely action of our security forces which checked the PLA troops from continuing with their road construction activity in South Doklam, they have expressed grave concern over that Chinese infrastructure built uncomfortably close to the tri-junction has not yet been dismantled.
Initially, the committee could not find consensus for tabling the report but later on, they presented a unanimous report where it said that the Peoples Liberation Army of China came with the objective of changing the status quo because they came in substantial numbers and brought along construction equipment with them.
It is clear to the Committee that the PLA took advantage of the absence of the Bhutanese troops at Batangla-Meruga La- Sinchela Ridge Line which is Bhutan's sovereign territory. The Committee would, therefore, recommend that India should constantly engage with Bhutan on the subject of North Doklam so as to dissuade the PLA from making direct ingress into Southern Doklam in future and trying to shift the tri-junction point southwards Chinese had built the track across the Batang La-Meruga La-Sinchela
around Doklam plateau and the statements from Chinese authorities about chances of similar happenings in future also, even after the stand-off ended. Though the Government has categorically denied any Chinese activities near the actual face-off site, an ambivalent view has been expressed while confirming such activities for other areas in the Doklam plateau.
The Committee, however, are of the opinion that while dealing with China, it is always better to have a sense of 'healthy scepticism'. Even if they have withdrawn their troops from Doklam for the time being, China's strategic intentions should not be taken casually.
The Committee would, therefore, urge the Government not to let its vigil down in order to prevent any untoward incident in future. The committee said India contested the Chinese claim of sovereignty in the Doklam region, as according to India's and Bhutanese maps the region is part of Bhutan's territory. India also conveyed to the Chinese side that their action represented a significant change in status-quo on the ground with serious security implications for India and amounted to a unilateral determination of the tri-junction point between India, China, and Bhutan.
In its report the committee headed by Congress MP Sashi Tharoor said, "When asked by the Committee during the course of the briefing to point out some takeaways from the Doklam incident, Foreign Secretary stated on 22 February 2018 that this was perhaps the most serious border tension in a long time and by far the longest face-off that we have had with China, with very sharp political rhetoric by the Chinese side. However, both sides were able to resolve matters through dialogue."
Even Defence secretary while agreeing with the Foreign Secretary, said, "The Doklam incident was an attempt to change the status quo and we did not allow that change to happen. We made it clear that the road would not be constructed and further progress towards Torsa Nala and Zompelri Ridge was not to be permitted. There was a standoff after the 72-day faceoff. The planned road could not be constructed and both forces were disengaged at the faceoff site. This is essentially due to very mature and considered view by the Defence Forces as well as from the diplomatic engagement. Other than that, at this point, the status quo continued, forces were disengaged and we have consolidated our presence on our own side of the border to counter any contingency."
