After seven weeks of war of nerves, India and China quietly reached an agreement on August 28 on the Doklam conflict and were back to the status quo.
The most important development in Asia (in recent times) shows that both the countries have realised the fact that a war or military conflict is not desirable in any situation (especially between the two nuclear powerful neighbours). The international community congratulated both New Delhi and Beijing immediately after they announced the decision to withdraw armed forces from Doklam. In a statement, the UN said that it was important for two big powers to be aware of their global responsibility.
On Monday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that the standoff was over as the two countries agreed to withdraw the armed forces from Doklam. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a completely different statement, saying that India agreed to withdraw its forces from Doklam, but Chinese forces would stay there. Actually, the Chinese ministry tried to inform the world that India softened its stand on Doklam issue after facing ‘diplomatic defeat’.

However, the fact is that Doklam is situated near China-Bhutan border. So, it is quite natural that the Indian forces will not be present there on a permanent basis. The return of the Indian forces was expected as the crisis was over. It means the Chinese Foreign Ministry didn’t say anything new.
Moreover, India never had any objection to the Chinese Army patrols in Doklam. India only opposed China’s plan to construct a road in the region. The Narendra Modi government in New Delhi made it clear that it sent troops to Doklam only to stop the construction work. And India withdrew its forces after China announced that it would not renew road building that led to the confrontation. The Chinese Foreign Ministry didn’t mention it in the statement.
So, the entire event indicates that it is a victory for the Indian diplomacy.

Indian foreign policy experts have explained the Doklam crisis in a different way. They consider the recent development not only as India’s great success, but also as a major diplomatic failure of China.
China has always tried to portray itself as one of the greatest super powers in the world. To earn India’s ‘respect’, the Asian giant has intentionally created “border problems” with its southern neighbour. But, the strategy failed to ensure positive outcomes for Beijing in Doklam. In the end, China had to compromise with India and agreed to stop the construction work of a road near Bhutan border. Of course, it’s difficult for Beijing to accept the reality.
Secondly, India has never claimed that it is more powerful than China. As far as the Doklam crisis is concerned, the South Asian nation has proved that it can sufficiently defend itself. That’s why it was possible for New Delhi to ensure the presence of its forces near the China-Bhutan border for 70 days.
Thirdly, India has also sent a strong message to the global community that it will not only safeguard its own interests, but also protect the interests of “friendly” neighbours. India will never hesitate to stand against any great power, if the sovereignty of its close allies is under threat.
Fourthly, Beijing’s stand on the Doklam issue will definitely disappoint many Chinese allies, including Pakistan, in Asia. Now, the allies will think whether it will be right to consider China as an alternative to the US.
Meanwhile, people across India have showered praises on National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Kumar Doval for resolving the crisis peacefully. Even, they have started considering Doval as India’s real-life ‘James Bond’ who stared China down at Doklam. The MEA, too, believes that Doval is responsible for the favourable outcome of India’s conflict with China. According to sources close to the Indian ministry, the seasoned diplomat has already become a cult figure because of his skilful operations, hawkish ideology and a background that echoes themes from spy movies. “He is the man Prime Minister Modi is said to trust more than anyone else not only on national security, but also on foreign relations,” said a senior MEA official.

The ‘Doval Doctrine’ has helped India take a bold approach in border standoff with China and win the battle of nerves. The NSA favours a tough stance with hostile countries and terrorists, as he thinks personal morality has no role to play in global geopolitics. According to Doval, the opponent can be engaged at three levels: defensive, defensive-offensive and offensive. India favoured the defensive-offensive approach against China in Doklam and won the diplomatic battle.

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das