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 This photo shows Indian border troops crossing the mutually-recognized boundary at the Sikkim section and entering China. (Photo/fmprc.gov.cn) The Indian military's trespass into Chinese territory is a blatant infringement on China's sovereignty, which should be immediately and unconditionally rectified. Since Indian soldiers crossed the China-India border into Chinese territory and obstructed work on a road in the Doklam area in June, China has lodged a series of protests demanding India pull back its troops immediately. However, New Delhi views both the incident and its actions quite differently. In order to illegally install its troops on Chinese soil for as long as possible and achieve a fait accompli, India firstly claimed its border had been encroached by China. After realizing its own false allegation was ridiculous, it changed its tone to its actions to being in the name of "protecting" Bhutan. India, who calls Bhutan an "ally", said it had intervened on behalf of its neighbor, yet the true subtext is the South Asian giant wants to maintain and expand regional hegemony. The Doklam area has long been recognized as Chinese sovereign territory with a clear history and legal basis, so there is absolutely no reason for India's incursion. If the Indian side cannot honor the long-standing agreement and correct its mistakes in a timely manner, how is it supposed to win the trust of its other neighbors, including Bhutan? Finding this regional paternalism still refutable, India even went further by resorting to groundless assumptions and accusations that China's construction of the road near their common border would have serious security implications. China has every right to build the road within its sovereign territory. Over the past few years it is actually India that has been sneaking around the Sikkim section of the China-India border. Bluffing about a potential clash that could be similar to that 55 years ago when India's military suffered a bitter defeat, Indian Defense Minister Arun Jaitley said, "India in 2017 is different from India in 1962," implying the country's improved military strength and bloated self-assertiveness. On the other hand, Jaitley should not ignore China's unwavering and consistent stance which has continued over the last five decades and its firm belief in the international justice that no country can pursue its security at the cost of another country's sovereignty. The withdrawal of Indian troops from Doklam remains a precondition for bilateral peace, and China will take all necessary measures to ensure its territorial integrity. India should rectify its mistakes and show sincerity to avoid an even more serious situation creating more significant consequences. After all, the country should be fully aware of the legal consensus upheld by all members of the international community, that respecting the borderline is the bottom line for sustained peace. |
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