Most Chinese Neighbours have Accused Beijing in Past for Forceful Tactics to Settle Border Disputes.

The Chinese neighbours have been accusing Beijing of the past few years for using forceful tactics to settle border disputes. Pentagon's top commander, earlier this week told lawmakers that China is exploiting its economic leverage as a way to its regional political objectives.India has taken a strong stand against China’s move to build a road in Sikkim’s Doklam area and change the status quo.

Pentagon to India, China: ‘Defuse border tensions through dialogue': Expressing concerns over India- China border standoff, the Pentagon has encouraged both the countries to engage in a direct dialogue to reduce tensions and free of any “coercive aspects”. Defence Department spokesperson Gary Ross said in a statement to the media: “We encourage India and China to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions and free of any coercive aspects.”

India has taken a strong stand against China’s move to build a road in Sikkim’s Doklam area and change the status quo. It’s been a month-long standoff between the two countries since June 2016. Pentagon’s top commander, earlier this week told lawmakers that China is exploiting its economic leverage as a way to its regional political objectives.

“The Chinese have shown their willingness to exploit their economic leverage as a way to advance their regional political objectives. As China’s military modernisation continues, the United States and its allies and partners will continue to be challenged to balance China’s influence,” General Paul Selva, USAF, said in written response to questions to the Senate Armed Services Committee for his nominee for reconfirmation as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In Doklam Stand-off India is Strongly Countering China at the Border

There is no significant rise in deployment of troops by China along the Sino-India border, top government sources confirmed. Even as a report in the official mouthpiece of the Chinese military has said that its Army had moved tens of thousands of tonnes of military vehicles and hardware into the remote mountainous Tibet region, top government sources maintained that there was no significant rise in deployment of troops by China along the Sino-India border.

The sources was quoted by PTI as saying that the exercise was a routine military drill by China and that its western theatre command has not made any major enhancement in its military might in the wake of the face-off that should trigger alarm bells in India. The command looks after the 3,488-km-long border with India. The vast haul was transported late last month, the report said but did not clarify whether the movement of the military equipment was to support the exercise in Tibet or for other reasons.

Referring to Chinese military's recent live-fire exercise in the mountainous Tibet region, the government sources said it was a routine drill and will be an exaggeration to link it with the border face-off. China's military yesterday had said it conducted the exercise to test its strike capability on plateaus. No significant rise in troop level by China along border, Govt sources confirmed. China has been ratcheting up rhetoric against India in the recent weeks following the face-off between the armies of the two nation in Doklam in the Sikkim sector.

Meanwhile, NDTV disclosed that Chinese presence along the border is being countered by elements of the Northern, Western, Central and Eastern Commands of the Indian Army. NDTV report gave details that deployments made by the Leh-based XIV Corps, the Sukma-based XXXIII Corps, the Tezpur-based 4 Corps, the Dimapur-based III Corps and the Panagarh-based XVII Corps were the core of India's defence. 

The media house further said that the Indian Air Force had 22 airfields and was developing a network of smaller air landing grounds in the Eastern sector and the strength of the Indian Army here is said to be close to 2 lakh men and women.

(With Agency inputs)