Why China’s 22 Villages in Bhutan’s Territory Is a Worry for Northeast?

Satellite imagery have suggested that these 8 villages that are near Doklam are in strategic locations overlooking a valley.

In a clear act of transgression, China has built around 22 villages within Bhutan’s territory, and the matter of concern is that, at least 8 of these 22 villages are close to the Doklam plateau along the border with northeast India.

Satellite imagery have suggested that these 8 villages that are near Doklam are in strategic locations overlooking a valley which the Chinese claims as its own.

Published reports said the largest of these 22 villages is Jiwu, which is believed to have come up on a traditional Bhutanese pasture land.

These reports have appeared even as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval attended the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary issue in Beijing.

For northeast India this development is a matter of concern because any strengthened Chinese presence in this stretch could make the narrow Siliguri corridor also known as the Chicken’s Neck, more vulnerable as this is the strip that connects northeast with mainland India.

Bhutan’s response to these reports is not known but till recently Bhutanese authorities are believed to have been denying the presence of Chinese settlements within Bhutanese territory.

According to a study by the School of Oriental and African Studies, the construction of the villages began in 2016 and now it has grown to 22 villages with a population of 7000.

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