Chinese dagger at India's heart.

The Sino-Indian border is divided into three sectors. The western sector is Askai Chin, the central sector is where China shares a border with Indian states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and eastern sector is from Sikkim to Arunachal Pradesh. Let us have a look at Chinese border issues with Sikkim. India deposed the king of Sikkim in 1975 and manipulated the country's parliament into a referendum to make Sikkim a state of India. China did not recognise the forceful occupation of Sikkim by India. Sikkim is important because of its strategic location as it shares a border with Nepal, Bhutan and 204 kilometres with Chinese Tibet. Historically, Sikkim is seat of Tibetan Buddhism Rumtek monastery, one of the most important leaders in Tibetan Buddhism. People with faith in Tibetan Buddhism also live in Sikkim. Nathu La (14200 feet) is an important pass which connects Sikkim with Chinese Tibet thereby providing a short route to Indian pilgrims to sacred Mount Kailash Manasarovar. China holds the northern shoulder of the pass while the Indian army holds the southern shoulder. From Nathu La, the capital of Tibet Lhasa is at a distance of 425 kilometres. India has an airport at Pakyong in Sikkim located closer to strategic Chumbi Valley (China), Siliguri Corridor and Bhutan. Serious clashes took place here in 1967 which resulted in heavy Indian casualties. It remained peaceful after 1967 clashes and flared up in 2017 when India obstructed construction of a road within Chinese boundaries.

At present, one-third of Doklam Plateau is under Chinese control, and complete control of plateau means Chinese occupying high ground which will facilitate rolling down on Bhutan in no time and will also facilitate China's move down south to Siliguri Corridor. The most important valley in the region is Chinese Chumbi Valley, a narrow valley projecting towards the tri-junction point of Sikkim, Bhutan and China pointed like a dagger towards the tri-junction point. The distance from tri-junction to Siliguri Corridor is 50 kilometres. The Chinese development of infrastructure in the valley towards the south will have serious consequences for India. India involved itself to the issue because of its apparent threat to Indian national security.

For India, Chumbi valley is like a dagger which may cut and seal the Siliguri Corridor from north eastern states. A brigade size force is stationed at Ha valley of Bhutan by India to monitor and counter any Chinese movement in...

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