China Building Villages Near Doklam in Bhutanese Territory

China Building Villages Near Doklam plateau, have raised concerns among geopolitical observers and neighboring nations, particularly India.

Over the past eight years, satellite imagery has revealed the construction of at least 22 villages within Bhutanese territory, signaling a strategic push by Beijing to fortify its claims and enhance its presence in the region.

These developments have far-reaching implications, especially in the context of regional stability and the intricate dynamics of China-Bhutan-India relations.

China Building Villages Near Doklam

China has strategically constructed eight villages in Bhutan’s western sector since 2020, close to the Doklam plateau, an area of immense geopolitical significance.

Positioned in valleys or ridges overlooking these valleys, these settlements have been deliberately placed to bolster China’s military and territorial ambitions. The largest of these villages, Jiwu, occupies traditional Bhutanese pastureland known as Tshethangkha and is situated in proximity to Chinese military outposts.

The Doklam region, which lies at the tri-junction of India, Bhutan, and China, became a focal point of international attention during the 73-day standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in 2017.

At that time, India intervened to halt China’s road construction in the region, as it posed a strategic threat to India’s Siliguri Corridor, a narrow stretch of land connecting the northeastern states to the rest of the country.

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Although the standoff ended with a pullback of frontline forces, China’s subsequent construction of villages and infrastructure around Doklam underscores its intent to incrementally consolidate its presence in the area.

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These developments have also highlighted the vulnerabilities of smaller nations like Bhutan, which lacks the capacity to counter China’s assertive policies.

According to reports, China has annexed approximately 825 square kilometers of Bhutanese territory, accounting for about 2% of Bhutan’s land. The construction of settlements, roads, and other infrastructure forms part of a larger pattern of creating “facts on the ground” to bolster its claims, akin to its approach in the South China Sea.

The Broader Geopolitical Impact

The establishment of villages near Doklam has significant geopolitical ramifications for India and the region as a whole. India’s security concerns are centered on the Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the “chicken’s neck.”

This narrow stretch of land is vital for India’s connectivity to its northeastern states. The strengthening of China’s position near Doklam could enhance its ability to exert pressure on this critical juncture, posing a strategic challenge for New Delhi.

China’s actions in Bhutan are also seen as a violation of the 1998 China-Bhutan agreement on peace and tranquility in border areas. This agreement stipulated that both sides would maintain the status quo and refrain from unilateral actions to alter the boundary.

By constructing villages and relocating thousands of people to these areas, China has disregarded its commitments under the agreement, further complicating the boundary dispute.

Former Indian envoy Ashok Kantha has characterized China’s approach as one of “forceful diplomacy,” where it systematically changes ground realities to create a fait accompli. This tactic has not only strained Bhutan’s territorial integrity but also challenged India’s ability to safeguard its strategic interests in the region.

Bhutan’s response to these developments has been cautious, reflecting its geopolitical constraints. While Bhutanese authorities have officially denied the presence of Chinese settlements on their territory, statements by former Prime Minister Lotay Tshering in 2023 stirred controversy by suggesting that the Chinese facilities were “not in Bhutan.” Such ambiguity highlights the delicate balancing act Bhutan must perform between its larger neighbors, India and China.

Future Scenarios and Regional Dynamics

China’s construction activities near Doklam and its increasing influence in Bhutan raise critical questions about the future of regional dynamics.

One immediate concern is the potential for Bhutan to align more closely with China, particularly if Beijing’s investments and infrastructure projects begin to offer tangible benefits to the Bhutanese population.

This could lead to a gradual shift in Bhutan’s traditional alignment with India, a prospect that would have significant implications for New Delhi.

The possibility of China opening an embassy in Thimphu, as well as expanding trade ties with Bhutan, could further solidify its presence in the region.

Such developments would mark a departure from Bhutan’s historical reliance on India for economic and security support. The challenge for India lies in countering China’s influence by offering competitive economic and strategic incentives to Bhutan, while also addressing the broader security implications of China’s activities near Doklam.

The larger issue at stake is whether China’s use of coercive diplomacy will succeed in altering Bhutan’s foreign policy orientation. Beijing’s approach of applying extreme pressure to achieve its goals has been evident in other regions, such as the South China Sea.

The construction of villages and infrastructure in Bhutan’s western sector forms part of this broader strategy to expand its influence and challenge the existing regional order.

For India, the developments in Doklam are a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges along its border with China. The military standoff in Ladakh, which began in 2020, has already strained bilateral relations to their lowest point since the 1962 border war.

While recent disengagement agreements have provided some respite, the situation in Doklam underscores the persistent strategic competition between the two Asian giants.

In the long term, the outcome of the China-Bhutan-India triangle will depend on which side can offer Bhutan greater benefits and assurances.

For now, China’s aggressive policies in Bhutan’s western sector serve as a cautionary tale of the complexities of regional geopolitics and the challenges faced by smaller nations caught between competing powers.