After PM visit, China protests troop movement in Sikkim

It’s learnt that China has taken objection to building of structures along the LAC and the Indo-Bhutan border, pointing out that this is in violation of the understanding to maintain peace in the area. The timing of the protest — after Singh’s China visit and ahead of his maiden trip to Arunachal Pradesh — has once again brought the boundary question in the spotlight.

Further, it may be noted that India did not specifically take up reports of Chinese incursions and transgressions during the visit despite confirmations of aggressive patrolling by China and a reassessment of Chinese ability to move in troops more quickly.

The reopening of claims, particularly on the Sikkim border, has taken India by surprise. And this comes after all the discomfort in New Delhi over heightened Chinese activity along the LAC. A lot of this stems from the destruction of unmanned Indian bunkers near Doka La on the India-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction sometime last November. This action by the Chinese was complemented by movement of the troops into the disputed Dolam plateau in Bhutanese territory.

According to informed sources, India has been strengthening existing defences on its side of the LAC in Sikkim. It may be noted that troops about a division strong had been moved out of the area to Jammu & Kashmir a few years ago. But over the past year, they have been moved back to their defensive positions in North Bengal and Sikkim. As a result, old facilities and structures are being strengthened, which are not seen as a violation by the Indian side.

At the political level, there is fresh thrust to improve infrastructure along the LAC, which includes building more accessible roads and better facilities near Indian posts. In fact, ahead of the PM’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the Defence Ministry has given its go-ahead for IAF reviving four

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