Sikkim: Govt receives no response on India-China standoff

The Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the Line of Actual Control in Sikkim. It has been reported that both sides "engaged in hand-to-hand fighting at a high altitude picket in north Sikkim". The confrontation between troops from both sides took place at Sikkim’s Naku La sector, a pass located at an altitude of 19,000 feet. Naku La is a sensitive area in terms of border disputes between both China and India.

However, as per a govt official in Sikkim, speaking exclusively to Inside Northeast, the state government has received no such information regarding the matter. It has revealed by the source, that the Centre has not replied to the state government's query on this occurrence.

Another interesting fact revealed is the area involved in the tussle. The media has reported Naku La to be in North Sikkim. But according to the source, there already exists a place called Naku La but not in Northern Sikkim. This led to confusion regarding the actual proximity of the area.

The reports

On the 2th May, it has been reported that 7 Chinese and four Indian troops were injured, an army official said, near the Naku La sector in the border state of Sikkim. Following this, the local commanders spoke and resolved the dispute.

It has been understood that following the coronavirus, India's lure for businesses wanting to leave China might also have agitated the country.

History

The two countries have competing claims over their shared 3,400-kilometre border. This led to incessant border tussles among the two nations.

It was also seen during President Xi Jimping's visit during India. At the same time during his visit, 1000 Chinese soldiers entered a disputed area in Northern Ladakh which led to a dispute.

Then there was the 2017 China India border standoff or Doklam standoff. This refers to the military border standoff between the Indian Armed Forces and the People's Liberation Army of China over the Chinese construction of a road in Doklam near a trijunction border area, known as Donglang, or Donglang Caochang (meaning Donglang pasture or grazing field), in Chinese.

As such, with the history involved between the two nations, has the ability to spark renewed tensions. In such a scenario, the lack of communication can get problematic.

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