China strengthening connectivity in Chumbi Valley

Last Updated08/11/2021

China is strengthening connectivity and increasing its depth in Chumbi valley in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), close to India’s strategic and vulnerable Siliguri corridor, also called Chicken’s neck.
In the annual report released by US Department of Defence , it stated that despite the ongoing diplomatic and military dialogues to reduce border tensions, the PRC has “continued taking incremental and tactical actions to press its claims at the Line of Actual Control [LAC].”
By this, China is securing its routes while putting pressure on the Siliguri corridor, which was vital for India.

Located in West Bengal, it is a stretch of land bordering Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.
It measures approximately 170X60km and at the narrowest, it is about 20-22 km.

It is also called Dromo, Tromo or Chomo.
It is a valley in the Himalayas that projects southwards from the Tibetan plateau, intervening between Sikkim and Bhutan.
It is coextensive with the administrative unit Yadong County in the Tibet region of China.
The Chumbi Valley is connected to Sikkim to the southwest via the mountain passes of Nathu La and Jelep La.

The 1904 Younghusband Expedition of British India passed through the Chumbi Vally on its way to Lhasa.
At the end of the expedition, the British took control of the Chumbi Valley in lieu of a war indemnity.
China agreed to pay the indemnity owed by the Tibetans in three installments and the Chumbi Valley was transferred back to Tibet on 8 February 1908.

Border Disputes – Share about 3,488-km long border which is yet to be fully delineated.
India supports a Tibetan government in exile formed by Dalai Lama, unacceptable to china.
China began the practice of issuing stapled visa to residents of AP and J & K, though it stopped it for J & K but continues for AP.
China has an undeclared policy of String of Pearls to encircle India, which involves building of ports and naval bases around India’s maritime reaches.
China has been building dams in Tibet part of Brahmaputra. India has objected to it but there has been no formal treaty over sharing of the Brahmaputra water.
China has been blocking India’s attempt to entry to NSG & has also blocked India’s attempt at the UN for sanctions against Jash-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar.
India considers building of the CPEC as China’s interference in India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Trade imbalance with the imbalance skewed in China’s favour.

Clubbing border issues with ongoing negotiations: India should pitch hard to club them together and find a holistic solution.
Extending Counteraction: India should attack Chinese commercial interests in India and align itself more closely with its Quad partners, especially in the maritime domain.
Playing Taiwan Card: On the foreign policy front, India should explore diplomatic and militaristic routes to counter China.
China has always been notoriously known for its aggressive expansionist policies and it continues its legacy in the current scenario. India should, therefore, pitch its issues in the international fora in order to create global pressure so that China can at least refrain from encroaching Indian Territories in future.