China’s Expansionist designs in Bhutan and along LAC with India

China’s targeted increase of transportation activity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India and its persistent aggression into Bhutanese territory demonstrates its expansionist agenda in recent years. Rooted in historical revisionism and a blatant disregard for international norms, China’s actions pose a grave threat to Bhutan’s sovereignty and regional stability. This why Bhutan has come to believe that diplomatic engagement with China on the boundary issue has become a one-sided affair, with China intent on using the negotiations as an excuse to grab more Bhutanese territory. Significantly, Major General Vetsop Namgyel, Bhutan’s Ambassador to India, recently conveyed his country’s deep concern to Ma Jia, the Chinese Charge d’ Affaires in New Delhi, about China’s persistent disregard for Bhutanese requests to cease incursions and construction activities in disputed territories. In the larger strategic context China’s military buildup in Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) and along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India has been equally disconcerting, marked by a rapid boost in military logistic infrastructure development and troops.

China’s aggressive actions and the urgent need for concerted diplomatic efforts to address the challenge of territorial grab have served to highlight Bhutan’s strategic significance. The failure of diplomatic efforts to resolve the border dispute underscores the urgency of addressing China’s expansionist agenda. Bhutan’s concerns in this regard were articulated during a meeting held in New Delhi on 3 April 2024 wherein V. Namgyel, highlighted to the Chinese CDA the alarming increase in China’s activities since 2020. He noted that despite 38 meetings in the past four decades, Bhutan has been unable to demarcate the border due to China’s insistence on claiming the entire disputed areas. Given this situation, the Bhutanese Ambassador noted it was futile to convene the 14th Expert Group Meeting without first addressing Bhutan’s concerns regarding the violation of the ‘status quo’ in the disputed areas.

Prior to this, Bhutan had formally protested against the construction of a semi-permanent structure known as the “Blue Hut” on the eastern bank of the Amo Chu river. The Chinese have been building a road running along the river towards Jampheri Ridge, avoiding the need to work their way from Batang La near the tri-junction towards the Jampheri Ridge. The latest protest, lodged with the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi, underscores Bhutan’s contention that such actions impede progress in the ongoing border talks and only exacerbated tensions. China has persistently asserted dubious claims over three key areas in Bhutan: Pasamlung, Jakarlung, and Doklam. These claims date back to the 1950s and are fuelled by historical revisionism and geopolitical ambitions. The fundamental point is that such claims serve to undermine Bhutan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

China’s rhetoric has often portrayed Bhutanese territories as being wrongly held by “Imperial India,” and which has served as a pretext for its expansionist ambitions. Such a narrative, coupled with aggressive military manoeuvres including large-scale incursions and military patrols, demonstrate China’s willingness to employ coercive tactics to achieve its territorial objectives. The bottom line is that China insistence on direct border negotiations has actually strained ties instead of improving them. Recall that the 1998 China-Bhutan Treaty to “Maintain Peace and Tranquillity” was aimed at preventing unilateral alterations to the status quo. The Treaty has proven to be totally ineffective in deterring Chinese aggression. Instead, China has used every opportunity to violate Bhutan territorial sovereignty and encroached well into Bhutan, thus exacerbating tensions.

The 2017 Doklam crisis involving both Bhutan and India epitomizes China’s complete disregard for established agreements and the need to maintain stability along the border. At that time, China sought to illegally assert control over strategic border areas, heightening tensions and provoking a standoff with India. The tri-junction issue, compounded by India’s security concerns, further underscored the geo-political significance of Bhutan and the need for concerted international action to safeguard its sovereignty. China’s attempts to claim Bhutanese territories, such as the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (2020), demonstrated its blatant disregard for bilateral agreements and international law. These actions, combined with the rapid infrastructure development and militarization of border areas, pose a direct threat to Bhutan’s security and sovereignty.

The Chumbi Valley region has historical and strategic importance in the geopolitics of the Himalayas. The Valley offers the shortest and most convenient route between Lhasa and Kolkata. When the Chinese PLA invaded Tibet in 1950, the Dalai Lama took up residence in Yadong, in the Chumbi Valley, close to the Indian border. Post Doklam, China built up its infrastructure in the Valley to offset India’s military edge in the Siliguri Corridor.

Bhutan also raised concerns about continued Chinese expansion in other parts of the disputed Western sector, further complicating the situation. These developments highlight the ongoing challenges and tensions. Despite Bhutan’s formal protests, China’s has persisted with its incursions and construction activities which undermine Bhutanese sovereignty. The recent exchanges between Bhutanese and Chinese officials underscore the urgency of addressing the ongoing border tensions and the need to peacefully resolve the dispute. By standing in solidarity with Bhutan and advocating for respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, India can contribute to fostering stability and peace in the region. Failure to confront China’s expansionist ambitions risks further escalation and destabilization in the region. The imperative need for such show of solidarity was very much in evidence when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhutan on 22-23 March 2024, shortly after the India visit of the Bhutanese Prime Minister. The Bhutan narrative has been replicated on a much larger scale along the LAC with India. Recent reports reveal Chinese infrastructure near the LAC showing a concerted effort by China to enhance military capabilities. This includes a massive increase in the deployment of newly recruited soldiers and officers from mainland China into the Western Theatre Command (WTC) as part of PLA’s 2024 Spring recruitment drive. Additionally, China has urgently sped up construction of dual use infrastructure projects, notably 417 Key Roadways Projects for a logistic system based on three-dimensional transportation networks in TAR. The construction of airports, heliports, and strategic roads signifies China’s intent to project military power and assert dominance in the region. China’s relentless pursuit of infrastructure development underscore its commitment to territorial expansion. The rapid construction of Xiaokang villages and military outposts along the border reflect China’s determination to alter the status quo in its favour. It is time for India to step in, before it’s too late!