The row has festered for more than a month as India and China refuse to back down in the distant but strategically key territory, reflecting the historic mistrust between the Asian giants. The border trouble began in mid-June when Chinese soldiers started to extend a road through the Doklam territory—known as “Donglang” in Chinese. India, a close ally of Bhutan, then deployed troops to stop the construction project, prompting Beijing to accuse India of trespassing on Chinese soil. “The solution to this issue is simple, which is that the Indian troops back out honestly,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said this week. Jayadeva Ranade, head of the Delhi-based Center for China Analysis and Strategy, said China is trying to establish a “pro-Beijing lobby” inside Bhutan.

Source: Manila Times July 27, 2017 05:03 UTC