After being given the cold shoulder by the US, and Bhutan refusing to compromise its alliance with India, China has gone to Nepal to seek support for its position on the standoff over the Doklam tri-junction near Sikkim.
According to a report in The Times of India, China's deputy chief of mission met his counterpart from Nepal in New Delhi in a courtesy call, during which China's stand on the issue was discussed. The move, as experts see it, is expeditious, since relations between India and Nepal, over the last few years, has been less than friendly.
Nepal also shares two tri-junction areas with India and China, one of which, the Lipulekh pass, has been the cause of bitter acrimony between Nepal and India, after the latter decided to use it as a Sino-Indian trade route in 2015.
Beijing continues to insist that for any meaningful dialogue about the crisis with New Delhi, India must first withdraw troops from Doklam, a demand that India has squarely rejected. The controversy began in mid-June when Indian troops stopped troops of China's People Liberation Army from constructing a road in the region. So far confined to being a war of words, the situation may escalate in the coming weeks.
Already Chinese experts warn of potential "small-scale operations" in Doklam plateau in about two weeks' time to drive away Indian presence. A policy expert, who is noted for his anti-India views, was quoted as saying in the State-run Global Times that China's response so far indicates that it will not tolerate India's presence in the disputed territory. However, New Delhi will be given sufficient notice before these strikes take place.
India, for its part, has steadfastly refused to acknowledge war with China as an option and, according to a report in The Indian Express, has decided to maintain this stand and work towards a diplomatic solution to the problem.
While the atmosphere in the region remains peaceful though tense, Indian troops are not favour of military action, The Hindu reported.
Bend It Like Our Netas
(01 of11)
Open Image ModalPrime Minister Narendra Modi has spearheaded the campaign on the benefits of yoga. This year he was in Lucknow, leading an International Yoga day event. Today he tweeted urging everyone to practice yoga saying, "In addition to fitness, wellness is important. Yoga is a medium to achieve wellness.I urge everyone to make Yoga a part of their lives." (credit:Twitter/All India Radio)
(02 of11)
Open Image ModalYogi Adityanath was in Lucknow as well, here he is seen doing some tough yoga moves. (credit:Twitter/myyogiadityanath)
(03 of11)
Open Image ModalUnion Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju had broken the internet with his workout photos. And today he took to Twitter to show that he can bust some yoga poses too. (credit:Twitter/Kiren Rijiju)
(04 of11)
Open Image ModalUnion Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Information & Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu was seen leading a group of people in New Delhi's Connaught Place. (credit:Twitter/Venkaiah Naidu)
(05 of11)
Open Image ModalBJP President Amit Shah celebrated International Yoga Day with Baba Ramdev and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Ahmedabad. And given it was Baba Ramdev who was leading the event, it is possible that they may have had quite a tough session. (credit:Twitter/ANI)
(06 of11)
Open Image ModalRailway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were seen meditating at an event in Mumbai. (credit:Twitter/ANI)
(07 of11)
Open Image ModalThe tree pose is not everyones cup of tea, but here are Union Minister of Ministry of Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar along with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh mastering it at an eventin Imphal. (credit:Twitter/Prakash Javadekar)
(08 of11)
Open Image Modal (credit:Twitter/Ravi Shankar Prasad)
(09 of11)
Open Image ModalFormer ministers and now Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was at an auditorium in Goa's Bambolim. (credit:Twitter/All India Radio News)
(10 of11)
Open Image ModalMadhya Pradesh Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was at an event in Bhopal's Lal Parade Ground leading a group of people. (credit:Twitter/ANI)
(11 of11)
Open Image ModalManeka Gandhi celebrated International Yoga Day, a couple of days ago with anganwadi children in New Delhi. The children seem to be following the minister quite well. (credit:Twitter/MIB_India)