DOKLAM: INDIA AND CHINA LOCK HORNS

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a standoff since June at Doklam in the Sikkim section of the Bhutan-China border.

This is the longest stand-off between the two armies since 1987.

It all began when Indian troops stopped Chinese troops from building a road in Doklam, citing the disputed status of the territory. Doklam is claimed by Bhutan, which has protested against Chinese road building.

China says the construction of the road is justified since Doklam has been Chinese territory since ancient times. New Delhi backs Bhutan's claims and sees a Chinese road in Doklam as a threat because the region is very close to the Siliguri Corridor, which connects India's northeastern part with the rest of the country.

Today the situation is such that many experts ponder over a possible sequel to the Sino Indian war. Political relations between the two countries continue to be tense over certain incidents, stands that both countries have taken. India objects to China's billion dollar investment in the China-Pakistan economic corridor that passes through parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Another blow to Sino - Indian relations was, Beijing obstructing India's efforts to get membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

However, the reasons to believe that war is a distant and improbable reality outweigh the others.

China happens to be India's largest trading partner. In 2011, the total Chinese investment in India was $102 million. Last year, a record $1 billion of Chinese FDI reportedly flowed in, but official Indian and Chinese statistics differ on cumulative figures. China has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sources of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India. And war like situation will do more harm than good to economies of both these massive countries.

If China goes to war with India it also breaks multiple peace agreements and deals which will invariably harm its international standing. A war with India would mean China weakening its stake in the South China Sea, where their stake has been challenged by Vietnam, Philippines, South Korea and the United States. In addition the interference of the USA cannot be ignored with the Trump administration and President Trump making strong statements against China at various occasions. This, coupled with growing US – India ties, puts China in a delicate situation that war will most definitely aggravate.

A mutual dialogue will solve border and other conflicts that the two countries currently face. India's animosity with Pakistan and China's partnership with them remains an issue of worry. But taking into account the monstrous damage to economies, resources and the damage to international status of the two countries that a war will inflict, it is safe to say, war remains an abrupt and unlikely climax.