Indian military steps up presence and alertness along China border
What's the story
The Indian military has "marginally" stepped up its troop strength along the Line of Actual Control bordering China from Sikkim to Arunachal Pradesh This comes amid Beijing's increasingly aggressive rhetoric in the ongoing standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Doklam. India meanwhile, is trying to diffuse tensions by holding flag meetings between the Indian Army and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Quote
Indian official says troop deployment a "precautionary" measure
"We have raised our alertness level and are taking precautions due to the Chinese rhetoric. So we have marginally increased our troop strength in the eastern sector from Sikkim to Arunachal Pradesh," a senior government official told The Economic times.
Status
Army is in a 'no war, no peace' mode
The Indian Army's 33 Corps, 3 Corps and 4 Corps, which will likely counter the PLA if a conflict breaks out; have been beefed up. However, the India Army's troop strength in Doklam, the site of the standoff, remains unchanged. The army is in a state of 'no war, no peace.' China too has increased its troop presence along its side of the border.
De-escalation attempts
India tries deescalating tensions through border flag meetings with PLA
India is waiting to see whether the PLA would accept invites for border personnel meeting to commemorate India's Independence Day on August 15. The invitations will be a few days before Independence Day. "If the Chinese accept invitation, it means that relations are improving. This year, they didn't invite us for BPMs during the PLA day on August 1," an Indian official said.
India-Bhutan ties
India-Bhutan reaffirm joint interests amid Doklam standoff
India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj met her Bhutanese counterpart Damcho Dorji in Kathmandu to reaffirm strong bilateral ties amid the standoff in Doklam. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the meeting of BIMSTEC foreign ministers in Kathmandu. The meeting is meant to signal to China that India and Bhutan are on the same page on the Doklam standoff.
Statement
Top US expert says India 'behaving like mature power'
India is "behaving like a mature power" in the Doklam standoff, said James R Holmes, professor of strategy at the prestigious US Naval War College. Holmes said India is making China "look like the adolescent throwing a temper tantrum." He also said it's not rational for China to keep a land-boundary issue alive and worry about overland aggression while also asserting itself at sea.