Washington Post: Who blinked in the China-India military standoff?
BEIJING — For weeks, China’s Foreign Ministry had been vehement in its denunciations of India and insistence that New Delhi unconditionally withdraw troops that had trespassed into Chinese territory. Don't underestimate us, China repeatedly insisted, we are prepared for military conflict if need be.
Yet on Monday it appeared as though Beijing, not New Delhi, had blinked.
Both sides withdrew troops to end the stand-off. Crucially, military sources told Indian newspapers that China has also withdrawn the bulldozers that were constructing a road on the plateau. That road, built on land contested between Bhutan and China, had been the reason Indian troops had entered the disputed area in the first place, in defense of its ally Bhutan.
The eventual deal allowed both sides to save face — India’s Ministry of External Affairs suggested in its statement that it had stuck to its “principled position” in the discussions, which was that road-building violated ongoing terms of a current boundary dispute between Bhutan and China.
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WNU Editor: China is boasting that they "taught India" a lesson .... China says it hopes India will 'learn lessons' from standoff (Channel News Asia/AFP). The media narrative from India is different .... View: India's restraint ends the Doklam logjam with China (Economic Times). What's my take .... China did not succeed in building the road that they claimed was their right to build .... this is a first. As to why did China "backed down" .... they want no problems at this summit .... Doklam standoff ends: PM Narendra Modi to visit China for BRICS summit (Business Standard).
Update: Oh oh .... China confirms stoppage of road-work at Doklam, but adds it could begin when weather permits (Times of India).
