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New Delhi's response is as far-fetched as its "stand up for Bhutan" sophistry. New Delhi claims the Sikkim section of the China-India boundary is not delimited and the two sides only agreed on where the boundary runs, which is a breach of the 1890 Convention and bilateral documents that demarcate the border. China and Bhutan had made it clear years ago that they have no dispute over Donglong. Their failure to ink an agreement has a lot to do with India's meddling.
The China-India border issue will be further complicated if New Delhi presses ahead with the provocations. While visiting the United States two weeks ago, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi managed to sell the idea that New Delhi is a key defense partner of Washington and it can serve as a counterweight to China's rise.
A joint statement issued during his US visit said the US-India partnership is "central" to regional stability. In return, US President Donald Trump approved the sale of 22 Predator Guardian drones to India, a "luxury" available only to the US' NATO allies.
It is becoming clear that India is ready to serve as an ally of the US rather than a swing power that honors independent, non-aligned diplomacy. Beijing should remain vigilant against New Delhi's moves while urging it to withdraw its troops from Chinese territory.
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