China has resumed building a road on Doklam plateau, latest media reports say. The current road construction is taking place just 10 km from the last stand-off site between India and China.
According to NDTV, there are about 500 Chinese troops present at the site guarding the construction.
India has yet not objected the construction as it is not southwards towards the militarily-sensitive Jampheri Ridge area like last time.
The bulldozers and other material that were used last time have been shifted to the new site by China.
An indication of tension between the two countries due to presence of Chinese forces in the Chumbi Valley in the Dokalam Plateau was also given by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa in New Delhi on Thursday.
Addressing media during the annual press conference of the Indian Air Force in New Delhi on Thursday, the Air Chief said despite Doklam resolution Beijing has still not withdrawn the forces from ground completely. “We expect them withdraw,” Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.
The news comes almost two months after both India and China agreed to “expeditious disengagement” over Doklam.
The diplomatic success came at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit China for the BRICS summit.
The stand-off started in mid-June when Chinese troops entered Bhutanese territory to build a road, sparking India’s intervention, citing agreements to maintain a status quo in the region. India had deployed about 350 Army personnel in the area.
The status of Chinese troops in geopolitically crucial Chumbi Valley, which was at the heart of Doklam standoff, will have its implications.
Days after the face-off ended, Army Chief Bipin Rawat had said China has started "flexing its muscles" and warned that the situation in India's northern border could snowball into a larger conflict.
Sources said though Chinese troops have been deployed in Dokalam Plateau, they leave the area during winters.
(With PTI inputs)
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