Bhutan
Posted on 12/27/2005 6:23:11 PM PST by CarrotAndStick
The Chinese are in Bhutan — its soldiers are building roads and bridges deep inside the country and setting off alarms in both Thimphu and Delhi. Over 200 Chinese soldiers crossed into Bhutan in mid-November and since then, the relations between the two countries have been on the edge.
Bhutan, which has a 470-km unfenced border with China, considers the unasked-for presence of the Red Army in its territory as a violation of the 1998 Sino-Bhutanese border treaty of peace and tranquillity. Rattled by the developments, the tiny kingdom, which shares a special relationship and a 605-km border with India, has also informed the Indian home ministry.
The matter also came up before Bhutan's National Assembly and foreign minister Khandu Wangchuk promised the House that the matter would soon be taken up with the Chinese authorities.
On November 13, the Chinese soldiers entered the country’s northern districts, including Paro, and marched 20 km inland, claiming that they had been forced by melting glaciers and heavy snowfall in Tibet to breach the border. But they also went on to infiltrate remote places like Haa, Boomtang and Wangdi Phudrang, which have no human habitation. The Chinese have built pucca bridges in Paro and Haa districts, prompting concern among the people’s representatives from Paro, Haa, Laya, Lunana, Zhemgang and Thimphu.
When secretary of international boundaries Dasho Pema Wangchuk took up the issue with the Chinese delegation led by deputy director-general of the Asian department in the China’s ministry of foreign affairs, China just brushed off the apprehensions.
“They told the Bhutanese that they were over-reacting and that the roads were being built as part of the economic development programmes for western China,” an Indian intelligence officer said. “India and Bhutan enjoy a special relationship, and the current developments have come as a matter of serious concern for India,” the official added.
That the concern is not confined to government circles in Thimphu and Delhi was clear from a recent article in Bhutanese newspaper Kuensel, which said, “There are chances that the Chinese might build more roads further into our territory and gradually claim the land as theirs since they have their roads on our territory.”
But why the incursion? Sources said China had been pressing Bhutan to allow it to open its embassy in Thimphu, and the cross-border forays could be a ploy to arm-twist Bhutan into agreeing to it.
Bhutan
pong
Improved roads mean your soldiers can ride instead of having to walk to the jumping off points.
Ping on Chinese incursion.
great...
I'm trying to look on the bright side...at least we don't have to worry about China and India working together against us if they stay mad at each other.
This is not good.
The Chinese are trying to pinch off a part of India so that they can take Bangladesh.
This is actually a passive-agressive declaration of war on India.
We should Bhutan some Claymores, LAWs and other nice 'toys.' Play the same game we used to keep the Soviets from winnign Afganistan.
The chinese really are nothing but fried lice.
The reddened areas are Indian territory that China has occupied or continues to occupy.
Actually, the reddened area on the top-left is what China occupies.
The reddened area on the far-right is what India controls, but is claimed by China as their land.
Wasn't part of the far-right territory occupied by China when China and India had a little skirmish in 1962? From what I've read, China did occupy this area.
They did, but had to retreat when the Soviets began to pressure them. Presently, that region is the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, considered by China to be an "illegal" occupation of "Chinese" soil.
http://arunachalpradesh.nic.in/
Could get ugly with the Dragon flexing her claws.
Could, but that's why India tested its nukes seven years ago.
Gorgeous pics.
Peking is ruled by a gang of rogue criminals who don't need reasons. If they can establish a salient into Indian territory, that is reason enough for them. Expand their future options a bit, just because they think they can. India will need to assert herself on this, or pay a price later.
Is it just me or does it seem like China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea etc. are "lining up their ducks" for something big? It would not surprise me if another world war breaks out within 5 years and it will be nuclear.
America had better wake up soon or we'll find ourselves at the short end of the stick.
Bill Clinton should be charged with TREASON. God help us if his bi+ch gets elected president.
Bhutan is not a part of India. Like Nepal, Bhutan too has friendly ties, and a visa-free border agreement, with India. Bhutan is weary of China because the Chinese had swallowed their culturally identical gigantic neighbour, Tibet, and the world didn't do a thing about it.
In fact, like Taiwan, most governments, America and India included, recognise Tibet and Taiwan as part of China, based on a "One China" policy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.