China Constructs Villages And Outposts On Bhutan Territory Amidst Talk Between The Two Country (Image: screenshot from Apple maps)
Amidst the ongoing China-Bhutan talks to formally demarcate their boundary, China continue their unsanctioned construction activity in Jakarlung Valley of North Bhutan. The recently released satellite images, the sharpest to be released so far, Bhutan may not have no other options but get on with the fait accompli that has been bestowed upon them by China. The area of construction lies 50 kilometres from the Eastern border of Bhutan with Arunachal Pradesh.
The new images from Maxar Technologies showed how China scaled up their physical presence in the region over past two years. While images released on December 7, 2023 showed ongoing construction of what looked like residential quarters. Media report suggested at least 129 buildings are under constructions in one settlement and around 62 buildings in another enclave which is only few distance away. The satellite image of the same region in 2021, does not show any of these buildings.
Damien Symon, who wrote extensively about Chinese intrusion in the East and West of Bhutan said, “the sheer scale of this developmental activity emphasis that these villages are not merely isolated outposts but rather integral components forming a comprehensive ecosystems that supports China’s territorial ambitions, further contribution to the Sinicization of the Bhutanese landscape”, as quoted by NDTV.
The new satellite image came at a time when Bhutan has readied themselves to end the Chinese incursion into its territory once and for all by stepping up their ties with China. In October this year, the Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said, “we hope to see a line being drawn-this side Bhutan and that side China. We don’t have that right now”, as quoted by The Hindu.
In the same interview that the Bhutan Prime Minister has given to The Hindu, he did not rejected the possibility of Bhutan and China agreeing on a land swap. The territory that includes the above mentioned Jakarlung Valley could be exchanged with China in place of Doklam plateau that lies further to the south of Bhutan.
In 2017, China and India had a stand-off in the Doklam region that longed for two months. During that time Indian troops physically prevented the extension of an illegal Chinese road that ws under construction in that area. One of the reason behind India’s concerns over Chinese incursion into Bhutan may be due to Bhutanese territory that extends to the Amu Chu river valle which is adjacent to the Doklam plateau.
After the Doklam conflict between China and India, the former has constructed minimum of three villages along the valley. Any further extension may raise alarm bells in New Delhi as that would mean a Chinese presence close to the Siliguri Corridor. Siliguri is the narrow corridor that bridges India’s Northeast with the rest of the country. The Indian Army brought to the Indian government’s notice about that China is approaching the red line that the intruder should never be allowed to cross.
