Lobsang Sangay slams China over Doklam

[michaela]

Lobsang Sangay is encouraging conflict between India and China. Lobsang Sangay is protesting about China's plan to build a road that connects Yadong and Doklam and encourages India to interfere although historically, India does not have a claim over Doklam territory. If India chooses to interfere, it will most likely use the 1949 treaty between India and Bhutan where Bhutan agree to let India to guide its foreign policy regarding border sovereignty. However, the question is, what is the incentive for India to interfere in this matter and how effective they will be.



Tibetan govt-in-exile slams China over Doklam

The Tibetan Government-in-Exile (TGIE), based in India, said the incursion of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at Doklam Plateau in Bhutan was a sign of the “expansionist foreign policy of China”.

The statement was made by Lobsang Sangay, the Sikyong (President) of the TGIE. He also extended full support to India, which had sent its troops to Doklam Plateau to stop PLA personnel from building a road.

Sangay made the remarks while speaking at an event at Hansraj College in Delhi earlier this week.

According to a report, on the official website of the TGIE — officially Central Tibetan Administration — Sangay decried China’s “nationalistic design”, which was “increasingly becoming apparent” in its stands on South China Sea, East China Sea and Scarborough Island, as well as in the increasing border incursions across the MacMohan Line, and now at Doklam.

“In early 1950s, the then chairman of People’s Republic of China termed Tibet China’s right hand palm and added that Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh are its five fingers. Therefore, China’s flexing of its military muscle is a manifestation of its decades old strategy to encircle and weaken India,” said Sangay, who was elected the head of TGIE in both 2011 and 2016.

Sangay, according to a report on the TGIE’s official website, also cautioned India to stay alert on the Doklam Plateau face-off.

“I always tell India and the world to take heed of the Tibet narrative. We have been telling India for the last 50 years that what happened to us (Tibet) could happen to you,” he said.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/625462/tibetan-govt-exile-slams-china.html

[DharmaSpace]

I think, India will not suffer an invasion from China. There is simply no point. India with its massive population will be more of a burden to China, than any real benefit. The Chinese are not war mongering as how the US had been for the past 60-70 years post world war 2.

Chinese will always choose to settle with economics and negotiations. Lobsang Sangay is trying trigger a greater conflict between India and China. India can benefit so much by working together with the Chinese, sure India can still treat the Tibetans as it has done before. For Xi Jin Ping to visit India, it shows the Chinese want to work together and talk, and move forward. Two of the largest nations in terms of population working together will be earth shattering. 

[michaela]

I agree with you DharmaSpace. The impact of the conflict most likely will take place in economic form and not in military conflict.  I wonder if the following move by the Indian government is the result of Doklam tension:

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Doklam effect? India said to block Fosun's $1.3 billion Gland purchase

by Siddhartha Singh and George Smith Alexander

India is poised to reject Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co’s proposed $1.3 billion takeover of an Indian drugmaker, according to people familiar with the matter, scuppering the biggest-ever Chinese acquisition in the country.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has decided to block the Chinese firm’s purchase of an 86 per cent stake in Gland Pharma, said the people.

The companies haven’t been formally notified yet of the move, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private.

Tensions between India and China -- the South Asian nation’s biggest trading partner -- have escalated amid a renewed spat over territory in a remote area of the Himalayas, one of the most serious flareups since a border war in 1962. A collapse of the acquisition would be a setback for Fosun Pharma, which had sought Gland Pharma’s stable of generic injectable medicines and facilities approved to manufacture products for sale in the U.S.

“This is almost like a sanction,” said Abhijit Joshi, a mergers and acquisitions lawyer and managing partner at Veritas Legal in Mumbai, who isn’t involved in the deal. “Rejecting a deal like this is almost like sending a signal to say, ‘no Chinese business,’ which means there could be a retaliatory action, trade wise, by China.”

Diplomatic engagement

Fosun Pharma, backed by Chinese billionaire Guo Guangchang, said in an exchange filing Tuesday that Gland Pharma hasn’t received notice on the result of the acquisition review from the Indian government.

The arm of Chinese conglomerate Fosun International Ltd. agreed in July last year to acquire control of Gland Pharma from an investor group including KKR & Co. The setback highlights the difficulties faced by China’s once-prolific acquirers, which are facing mounting pressure at home and abroad. HNA Group Co. recently scrapped the purchase of an in-flight entertainment provider, while Dalian Wanda Group Co. agreed to sell most of its theme-park assets amid scrutiny from regulators.

The Gland Pharma purchase had already completed Indian antitrust filings and been reviewed by the country’s Foreign Investment Promotion Board. Jagdish Thakkar, a spokesman in the Indian Prime Minister’s Office, didn’t return phone calls, while an email sent to Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha wasn’t answered. Representatives for Gland Pharma and KKR didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

“India’s engagement with China is multifaceted. In areas where we have commonality of views, engagement has expanded and upgraded in recent years,” India’s junior Foreign Minister V.K. Singh told lawmakers on Thursday, adding that both sides should be guided by previously agreed principles. “India and China, in their relationship, must not allow differences to become disputes.”

Biggest market

Fosun Pharma said in a July 27 filing to the Hong Kong bourse that it had obtained relevant approvals from Chinese authorities. The acquisition is still subject to the review and approval of India’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, so the termination date has been further extended to Sept. 26, the filing shows.

Chinese drugmakers have grown more ambitious in seeking deals that will give them access to the U.S., the world’s biggest pharmaceutical market. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. this year sold its Dendreon Pharmaceuticals unit to Chinese conglomerate Sanpower Group Co. for $820 million. Humanwell Healthcare Group Co., a Chinese maker of anesthetics and contraceptives, is part of a consortium that agreed in June to buy U.S.-based RiteDose for about $605 million.

Chinese companies such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Xiaomi Corp. have been investing in India. Alibaba’s finance unit is on the board of Paytm, India’s largest digital payments startup, while Tencent owns a stake in Flipkart Online Services Pvt. Xiaomi, which has invested $500 million in the subcontinent, plans another investment of the size over the next three to five years. India’s trade with China was at $72.3 billion last year, with Chinese exports accounting for 84 percent of the volume.

“From Chinese  investment into India for M&A, yes there’s going to be an impact,” Veritas’ Joshi said. “They’re going to be increasingly nervous about investing in India. That capital that was available from China is not going to be available, at least in the short term, which means doing a deal is going to be that much more difficult.”

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/59859903.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

[michaela]

Despite Sikyong Lobsang Sangay's attempt to provoke conflict between India and China regarding Doka la, India is seeking a peaceful resolution with China. The two parties are in touch to discuss the issue without the CTA's involvement.

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After China's tough posture on Doka La border row, India calls for peace, tranquility in region

New Delhi: As China struck a tough posture again on the Doka La stand off, India on Wednesday refused to be drawn into giving counter arguments, and merely said that it reaffirms its 30 June statement and called for peace and tranquility along the border.

"India's position on and related facts have been articulated in our press statement of 30 June, 2017," external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said in response to a question.

"India considers peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas as an important prerequisite for smooth development of our bilateral relations with China," he said.

On Wednesday, China claimed that it had informed India that it would be constructing a road in Doka La area in Sikkim sector and again asked New Delhi to withdraw its troops immediately from the area.

Beijing sought to firm up its claim over the disputed region by citing a document of 2006, according to which India and China agreed on the boundary alignment in the Sikkim sector where their armies are now locked in a stand-off.
In a 15-page document, the Chinese foreign ministry also said the number of Indian troops in Doka La since the beginning of the crisis in mid-June had fallen from 270 to 40 by the end of July. Indian officials have denied any pullout has taken place.

China also said India should not make territorial claims on Bhutan's behalf in the Doka La standoff even as it maintained that it valued good neighbourly and friendly relations with New Delhi and to keep peace on the border.
China also claimed that it had informed India that it would be constructing a road in that area.

Beijing, which earlier said it won't talk to New Delhi until the Indian troops leave, also hinted that the two sides were in touch to resolve the dragging dispute on the Sikkim section of the border.

New Delhi sees the road as a threat to the nation's security as it is very close to the arterial Siliguri corridor, which connects northeastern India with the rest of the country.

In its 30 June statement, India said that on June 16, a PLA construction party entered the Doka La area and attempted to construct a road, which was protested by the Bhutan government.

In coordination with the Bhutan government, Indian personnel, who were present at general area Doka La, approached the Chinese construction party and urged them to desist from changing the status quo.

It said the matter has been under discussion between India and China at the diplomatic level in the Foreign Ministries since then.

The June 30 statement said that India is deeply concerned at the Chinese actions in Doka La and has conveyed to the Chinese government that such construction would represent a significant change of status quo with serious security implications for India.

http://www.firstpost.com/india/sikkim-standoff-india-calls-for-peace-tranquility-along-border-after-chinas-tough-stand-on-doka-la-3887531.html

[michaela]

After China issued repeated warning for India to withdraw their troops from Doklam area, China is involving Nepal in the issue.

India wary as China takes up Doklam issue with Nepal

NEW DELHI: China's diplomatic blitz to counter India's position on Doklam standoff high up in the Himalayas continues, with its mission here briefing Nepal authorities about the dispute.
China's decision to discuss the issue with Nepal is significant because, first, India shares a tri-junction with Nepal and China in a disputed area and, second, Nepal is one country in the neighbourhood India is struggling to maintain its sphere of influence.

Diplomatic sources told TOI that the Chinese deputy chief of mission discussed the Doklam issue with his newly-appointed Nepal counterpart in a "courtesy meeting" and explained Beijing's position.

Beijing continues to maintain that for any meaningful dialogue Indian troops must withdraw from Doklam. Chinese diplomats have held similar meetings with Nepal officials in Kathmandu and Beijing.

Unlike China, India has so far not made it public whether or not it has briefed foreign missions about its position on the issue.

It did discuss the issue with US diplomats though a few weeks ago. While Nepal has not sought any briefing from Indian authorities yet, there's a growing concern within Nepal intelligentsia that a prolonged standoff involving India, China and Bhutan will not be in Kathmandu's interest.

Nepal, in fact, has two tri-junctions with China and India — Lipulekh in western Nepal and Jhinsang Chuli in eastern part.

Lipulekh has, in the past, been the cause of insecurity in Nepal, located in the disputed Kalapani area that is claimed by both India and Nepal.

India's decision to expand trade with China through the Lipulekh pass in 2015, during the visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China, created a furore in Nepal with its parliament demanding that the two countries drop the mention of Lipulekh from the Sino-Indian joint statement as it was against all international norms.
Nepal parliament had then also sought to know if the agreement could undermine Nepal's sovereignty and its territorial integrity.

While foreign minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Nepal next week for the BIMSTEC meeting, Chinese vice-premier Wang Yang will arrive on August 14 for a meeting with top leaders.

Both Swaraj and Wang are expected to touch upon the Doklam dispute. Swaraj is also expected to carry out the groundwork for Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba's visit to India later this month. There's a strong anti-India constituency in Nepal and Indian officials are mindful of attempts made by supporters for former PM K P Sharma Oli to paint India as the aggressor in the Doklam dispute.

Wang's visit will also be closely followed as he is expected to follow up on Nepal's decision earlier this year to officially join China's One-Belt-One-Road initiative despite reservations expressed by New Delhi.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-wary-as-china-takes-up-doklam-issue-with-nepal/articleshow/59936124.cms

[michaela]

Despite the 50 day tension between India and China, none of the two powerful countries would like to initiate a war  with each other. Cooperation would be more beneficial than conflict in the case of India and China

Doklam row: India reasonably sure China does not want war despite angry rhetoric

NEW DELHI: Far away from the actual faceoff site at Doklam, where rival soldiers are close enough to literally smell each other in the rarefied air of the high-altitude region, the Indian security establishment is reasonably sure China will not risk a war or even "a small-scale military operation" despite all its belligerent rhetoric.
A "face-saving" workable option is for both India and China to simultaneously withdraw their troops from the Bhutanese territory of Doklam (called Dong Lang by China) near the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction, said sources in the security establishment.
But, added the sources, if it does come down to a skirmish or battle, the Indian Army is well-poised with "fully acclimatised troops" and "an enhanced border management posture" to prevent "any misadventure" by the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

India has repeatedly stressed war is not a solution to the on-going over 50-day standoff, with foreign minister Sushma Swaraj last week telling Parliament that bilateral dialogue, patience and "bhasha saiyam" (language restraint) was the way forward to diffuse tensions.

"Both countries do not want a conflict. A tactical operation by the Chinese border guards and PLA to construct a motorable road at Doklam (physically blocked by Indian soldiers on June 18) went awry, with the consequent strategic fall-out. Mutual troop pull-back or re-adjustment is the face-saver," said a source.
But China is yet to sound conciliatory, at least in its public stance. The 7th edition of the annual "Hand-in-Hand" exercise between the Indian Army and PLA, which was to be held in China in October, is likely to be among the "casualties" of the faceoff. "Even the exercise's initial planning conference, leave alone the final one, has not been held despite reminders to China," said another source.

At the over 11,000-feet site in Doklam, the roughly 300-350 troops from the two sides continue to be ranged against each other as of now. Concertina wire coils around 150 metres long separate them there, with both having also built makeshift defences after earlier pitching tents and establishing logistical supply lines.
"The Chinese troops at the faceoff site are backed by around 1,500 PLA soldiers in three layers towards the rear. There are some verbal and loudspeaker exchanges but in a non-aggressive manner," said the source.
Accidental escalation, however, remains a big worry. Indian Army formations in the region, including the 17 (Gangtok), 20 (Binnaguri) and 27 (Kalimpong) Mountain Divisions (each with over 10,000 soldiers), continue to be in a high state of operational readiness.

As was first reported by TOI, over 2,500 soldiers from the 164 Brigade were moved forward to Zuluk and Nathang Valley in Sikkim in June-July to add to the 6,000 soldiers under the 63 (Nathu La) and 112 (Chungthang) Brigades already deployed in eastern and north-eastern parts of the state.

"Our soldiers are, in any case, deployed at border outposts. The PLA, which does not man posts like our troops because China has better roads for quick deployment, moved forward its soldiers only after the face-off began in mid-June," said the source.

As a military thumb rule, an attacker has to deploy three soldiers for every one of the defender in the plains. As the altitude increases, the ratio increases to 9:1 for mountain warfare. "Our troops are better placed and prepared for the long haul," he added.

Sources say India remains steadfast about not allowing China to "bully" Bhutan into ceding ground in the Doklam region, which is "strategically crucial" because the Zomplri (Jampheri) Ridge there overlooks the Siliguri corridor or the "Chicken's Neck" area. But it has maintained restraint in face of escalating rhetoric from Beijing.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/doklam-row-india-reasonably-sure-china-does-not-want-war-despite-angry-rhetoric/articleshow/59945037.cms

[dsnowlion]

Chinese will always choose to settle with economics and negotiations. Lobsang Sangay is trying trigger a greater conflict between India and China. India can benefit so much by working together with the Chinese, sure India can still treat the Tibetans as it has done before. For Xi Jin Ping to visit India, it shows the Chinese want to work together and talk, and move forward. Two of the largest nations in terms of population working together will be earth shattering.

Yup totally agree with THIS! And see all the CTA can do is create more problems for India. SHAME of Mr. President recognised by only Tibetans and India unfortunately. He does even carry weight internationally. No one even wants to see him when he's in Australia recently... they don't recognise him as a leader for Tibet people. He should really stop making trouble for India.

India and China should really work together and become the world's leaders, the superpower nation and rise above the West. Forget about Sangay... he is nothing and remains nothing. He is not even smart enough to strategize and to be nice with China so that he can ask for "Tibet's autonomy" which he and his administration claims they wish for. So why go around causing problems to the very people you are seeking help from? Seriously what a huge contradiction! He says one thing, do the opposite. Cannot be trusted at all.

[michaela]

Not a good sign and as usual Lobsang Sangay and the CTA is not contributing to the peaceful resolution of the tension between India and China. He is currently busy in Australia to promote his Tibetan cause.

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India Steps Up Alert Amid Heightened Tensions With China

India has increased a military alert along its eastern border with China, moving troops and weapons into the region amid a weeks-long standoff between the two countries that shows no signs of resolution.

As NPR's Julie McCarthy reported last month, New Delhi and Beijing have been at odds over a strategic region called the Doklam Plateau, which is claimed both by China and by India's tiny ally, Bhutan.

In June, China began construction to extend a road there in an apparent effort to press its claim. In response, India sent troops as a show of force, sparking anger from China which says the affair is none of its business.

Beijing demanded that Indian forces withdrawal, but Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has refused.

India's Defense Minister Arun Jaitley told parliament this week that the country's armed forces are "fully prepared" in the event of conflict with China.

Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Indian troops in Sikkim, south of Doklam, have been put on heightened alert, although the news agency quoted an unnamed source as saying it was "out of caution."

In 1962, India and China fought a bloody month-long border war. The neighbors also have a continuing dispute over the sovereignty Aksai Chin, a Himalayan region on their extreme western border.

Doklam is strategically close to a sliver of land called the "Chicken's Neck" that is India's only land corridor to its frequently restive northeast.

The two countries have also long been at odds over India's hosting of Tibet's government-in-exile and their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, considered by China to be subversive.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/11/542904162/india-steps-up-alert-amid-heightened-tensions-with-china

[Richardlaktam]

I always feel like laughing when seeing this fella talking. Who is he? He is not even a world recognized President. His "country" is not even a world recognized country, and yet, he come out and bark around like a mad dog?
Like I always said, this Sikyong is always living in his dream land. Now Tibetan government in Exile is going to face problem like loosing funding from countries around the world, he is facing problem that loosing faith and trust from his own people. He couldn't even answer questions asked by a student, he couldn't even settle his own "government" issue, yet he still want to come out and comment and provoke India? Like people said, mind your own business.
Encouraging the conflict between India and China is not a good move. Instead of building good relationship with China, this fella went to the other side and provoke. He is really digging his own grave yard. He still doesn't wake up, I wish him good luck. Wait until the day come, where nobody else is supporting Tibetan government in Exile, let's see where he stands by then.

[michaela]

While Lobsang Sangay is busy slamming China over Doklam issues, the Dalai Lama is encouraging India and China to live side-by-side peacefully. Is Lobsang Sangay going against the Dalai Lama?
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India, China Cannot Defeat Each Other, Says Dalai Lama

India and China have been locked in a standoff in the Doklam area since June 16 after Chinese troops began constructing a road near the Bhutan tri-junction.

MUMBAI:  Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said India and China cannot defeat each other and both the countries will have to live together as neighbours. The spirit of "Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai" is the only way forward, he stressed.

"In the current border situation, neither India nor China can defeat the other. Both countries are militarily powerful," the Dalai Lama said. Both the countries will have to live together as neighbours, he said.

"There may be some incidents of cross-border firing. It does not matter," he said.

The Dalai Lama was responding to questions by reporters at an event in Mumbai.

He said, "In 1951, a 17-point agreement was signed between the Local Government of Tibet and People's Republic of China for peaceful liberation of Tibet. Today China is changing and has become a country with the highest Buddhist population. They (India and China) should go back to 'Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai' again."

It is a Communist government but Buddhism is widely accepted, he said.


"Earlier, the Dalai Lama used to be the head of spiritual and political movements in Tibet, but in 2011, I totally retired from politics. It was a way of democratising the institutions, because it had some feudal elements in it," said the 14th Dalai Lama.


He suggested that India should "develop pilgrimage for Chinese" people who are followers of Buddhism.

"We must understand that the followers of Buddhism in China are actually following the line of Indian Buddhism that came from Nalanda (Indian seat of learning) and Sanskrit," said the spiritual leader.

"India should develop a pilgrimage for Chinese people who follow Buddhism. These people can come to places like Bodh Gaya and can come closer to India emotionally as well," he said.

India and China have been locked in a standoff in the Doklam area since June 16 after Chinese troops began constructing a road near the Bhutan tri-junction.

Commenting on the definition of secularism in he Indian context, the Dalai Lama said, "Respect for all religions and even the non-believers too. This is the definition of secularism in Indian context."

"During the French Revolution and the Bolshevik movement, people opposed the exploitation by their kings and queens. Then religious institutions were supporting the feudal lords; hence the revolution also went against them. That's why in the western context, secularism has become a word expressing disrespect to religion," he said.

"Even an Indian communist leader had once told me that as a communist party worker, he does not believe in God. But for the people who he works for, they do believe in God and it is his duty to respect their feelings. I welcome such a mature approach," the Dalai Lama said.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-china-cannot-defeat-each-other-says-tibetan-spiritual-leader-dalai-lama-1737477

[michaela]

India and China 'preparing for armed conflict' if Bhutan solution not found
The stand-off over the Doklam Plateau has been running for two months

India and China 'preparing for armed conflict' if Bhutan solution not found
The stand-off over the Doklam Plateau has been running for two months

Indian and Chinese military forces are reported to be preparing for the possibility of an armed conflict over a disputed area in the Himalayas should a peaceful solution not be found.

The standoff began two months ago when Indian troops confronted Chinese forces working on a road over the Doklam Plateau, a strategically important area near where Tibet, India and Bhutan meet, and which both China and Bhutan – an ally of India – claim as their own.

China has demanded that Indian troops withdraw before it will hold talks with the country, while India has called for each side to stand down.

The South China Morning Post reported that sources close to the Chinese military have claimed the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has plans to deploy aircraft and strategic missiles against India’s troops in the event of conflict breaking out, in order to limit the action to skirmishes.

“The PLA will not seek to fight a ground war with Indian troops early on. Instead it will deploy aircraft and strategic missiles to paralyse Indian mountain divisions stationed in the Himalayas on the border with China,” a source told the newspaper on condition of anonymity.

In his Independence Day speech on Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of the country’s capabilities in the face of security challenges, The Times of India reports.

Mr Modi did not directly reference the border dispute, but asserted that “security is our priority”.

“It is clear that security of our country is our priority. Internal security is our priority. Be it sea or borders, be it cyber or space, India is capable of tackling every security challenge,” he said.

In a separate report, the newspaper claimed that ceremonial border personnel meetings between India and China appear to have been affected since the stand-off started.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/india-china-military-bhutan-armed-conflict-doklam-plateau-himalayas-troops-withdraw-a7893866.html

[Geraldine Sarie]

 I thought work of a leader is to help, care, educate and most importantly UNITE his people. Where I found it awkward why this President of Tibetan Government-in-Exile (TGIE,) behave likewise. Sikyong Sangay shouldn’t interfere into this issue because it was between China and India. Since Tibet is labeled as “stateless” by the world, tactics of TGIE are unfunctional. Therefore, it is useless and waste of time.

It is advisable that Sikyong Sangay learn to better MANAGE his people than jeopardizing other people work. Like what CHINESE said, ”If can’t manage a group of chicken, it’s illogical to control an eagle”. 

[michaela]

I think Lobsang Sangay and India should understand that China would never back down in defending its sovereignty. This is an interesting article that mentioned that in the treaty between China and the Great Britain that mentions Doklam (Dong Lang) belongs to China, and India is starting this stand off over Doklam to test China.

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China never backs down in defending sovereignty

Xinhua
ON THE WEB, 17 August 2017
China’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday once again asked India to withdraw all its troops and equipment from Chinese territory, as the border standoff in the Dong Lang (Doklam) area approaches its second month.

On 18 June, over 270 armed Indian troops with two bulldozers crossed the boundary in the Sikkim Sector and advanced more than 100 metres into China.

As of end of July, there were still over 40 Indian troops and one bulldozer in Chinese territory.

The Dong Lang area borders India’s Sikkim state to the west and the Kingdom of Bhutan to the south. Dong Lang is described as a disputed territory in some western media reports, which is simply untrue.

In 1890, China and the UK signed the Convention Between Great Britain and China Relating to Sikkim and Tibet, which delimited the boundary between the Tibet region of China and Sikkim. According to the Convention, Dong Lang is Chinese territory. Chinese troops patrol the area and Chinese herdsmen graze livestock there.

“This Convention of 1890 also defined the boundary between Sikkim and Tibet; and the boundary was later, in 1895, demarcated. There is thus no dispute regarding the boundary of Sikkim with the Tibet region,” read a letter from Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru to Chinese premier Zhou Enlai in 1959.

China is building roads on its own territory, did not cross the boundary and notified India in advance. India did not raise any objection at that time, or any other, until its troops suddenly invaded Dong Lang.

“India intentionally started this standoff to test China,” said Li Qingyan of the China Institute of International Studies. China’s bottom line is the border line, as shown in the 1962 incident with India.

As a Chinese saying goes, a good neighbor is better than a distant brother. China of course has no desire to enter into a war with its neighbour.

China and India are two developing giants with a wide range of common interests. A sensible bilateral relationship will definitely benefit over two billion people.

But Chinese people will never back down in defending sovereignty and no country should underestimate China’s resolve.

https://www.tibetsun.com/elsewhere/2017/08/17/china-never-backs-down-in-defending-sovereignty

[dsnowlion]

I thought work of a leader is to help, care, educate and most importantly UNITE his people. Where I found it awkward why this President of Tibetan Government-in-Exile (TGIE,) behave likewise. Sikyong Sangay shouldn’t interfere into this issue because it was between China and India. Since Tibet is labeled as “stateless” by the world, tactics of TGIE are unfunctional. Therefore, it is useless and waste of time.

It is advisable that Sikyong Sangay learn to better MANAGE his people than jeopardizing other people work. Like what CHINESE said, ”If can’t manage a group of chicken, it’s illogical to control an eagle”. 

Yes I agree with you Geraldine... this Sangay fella should just shut his gap. He is just taking the opportunity to create problems. He is a fire starter! He is not in the position to say anything and share his 2cents! Mr Sangay should really clean up his own mess in his own backyard... starting with religious freedom and real democracy. And how come is it okay for him to hold to have a green card but Tibetans in exile are being made to feel guilty if they wanted to apply for a passport and become Indian citizen. This article is very good and states clearly why the CTA sabotages their own people from becoming an Indian citizen and actually having freedom to travel! Mind blowing! http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/tibetan-leadership-sabotages-indian-citizenship/

[michaela]

I think, India will not suffer an invasion from China. There is simply no point. India with its massive population will be more of a burden to China, than any real benefit. The Chinese are not war mongering as how the US had been for the past 60-70 years post world war 2.

Chinese will always choose to settle with economics and negotiations. Lobsang Sangay is trying trigger a greater conflict between India and China. India can benefit so much by working together with the Chinese, sure India can still treat the Tibetans as it has done before. For Xi Jin Ping to visit India, it shows the Chinese want to work together and talk, and move forward. Two of the largest nations in terms of population working together will be earth shattering.

Dear DharmaSpace

You brought up an interesting point. China can threaten India with trade war and India would be suffering. Even with India's eccentricity in playing the Dalai Lama's card to show the world that they are not afraid of China, India is highly depended on imported goods from China. China is India's biggest trading partner. If China stops supplying goods to India, India's manufacturing industry would not be able to keep up with the demand and the economy will be suffering as a result. After the currency issue several months ago, another economic problem is the last thing Modi administration needs right now.