Increasing presence of Chinese troops close to the point of a prolonged standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Doklam is being closely monitored by the Indian security establishment, more than a month after forces agreed to withdraw.

Air Force Chief BS Dhanoa confirmed the existence of Chinese troops in the region on Thursday. “Their forces are still deployed in Chumbi Valley. We expect them to withdraw, and are confident that that a solution will be found at a political and a diplomatic level,” Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.

Sources in the security establishment said while the road construction by China that was the point of contention has stopped for the time being, Chinese troops have been constantly on the prowl in the area.

In fact, there are also reports of road expansion in nearby zones of Doklam in the Sikkim sector. “We cannot stop them from patrolling. It’s not our territory. Our stand was that road construction must stop,” said a senior government official.

The standoff that was resolved in August was triggered after Indian troops stopped Chinese road construction in Doklam, a disputed region between China and Bhutan. It was felt that road connectivity would give China direct access to the Siliguri …read more

Increasing presence of Chinese troops close to the point of a prolonged standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Doklam is being closely monitored by the Indian security establishment, more than a month after forces agreed to withdraw.

Air Force Chief BS Dhanoa confirmed the existence of Chinese troops in the region on Thursday. “Their forces are still deployed in Chumbi Valley. We expect them to withdraw, and are confident that that a solution will be found at a political and a diplomatic level,” Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.

Sources in the security establishment said while the road construction by China that was the point of contention has stopped for the time being, Chinese troops have been constantly on the prowl in the area.

In fact, there are also reports of road expansion in nearby zones of Doklam in the Sikkim sector. “We cannot stop them from patrolling. It’s not our territory. Our stand was that road construction must stop,” said a senior government official.

The standoff that was resolved in August was triggered after Indian troops stopped Chinese road construction in Doklam, a disputed region between China and Bhutan. It was felt that road connectivity would give China direct access to the Siliguri …read more