China has built at least 22 villages near Bhutan’s Doklam: Report cites satellite images

Since 2016, China has been expanding its presence close to India’s neighbouring country Bhutan and over these eight years, it has built at least 22 villages and settlements near or within territory that has traditionally been part of Bhutan, revealed recent satellite imagery.

Eight of the total 22 villages that China has built are near strategic Doklam plateau. These settlements have come up in Bhutan’s western sector after 2020, a report by Hindustan Times said citing satellite imagery.

According to the report, most of these villages are strategically positioned in a valley or a ridge overlooking a valley that China claims.

Some of these settlements are close to Chinese military outposts or bases.

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Among these, the largest village, Jiwu, detected by observers and researchers, is built on a traditional Bhutanese pastureland called Tshethangkha and this too lies in the western sector.

Why is it a concern for India?

China’s construction near Doklam raises security concerns for India as the region is close to the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “chicken’s neck” — a narrow stretch of land that connects India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country.

The corridor has strategic significance for India as China has been expanding its encroachment near Bhutan borders with an eye to have an influence over the narrow stretch of land. Its vulnerability is China’s strength in India’s eastern sector. The security of the corridor became a major concern particularly after the events of 2017 around Doklam.

In 2017, Doklam was the site of a 73-day India-China military standoff. Back then, India took steps to stop China from the construction of a road which could have given it access to the plateau’s southernmost region.

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At the end of the standoff, troops from both sides were pulled back, but satellite images of recent years have revealed intensified Chinese construction activity around Doklam.

With so much activity in its region, Bhutan, over the recent years, has faced immense pressure from the Chinese side, which is also negotiating with Thimpu a border settlement deal in its northern frontiers. Bhutan has officially denied the presence of Chinese settlements on its territory.

In 2016, China built a village in territory considered to be a part of Bhutan. With passing months, it continued expanding its territorial control. Now, reports say China has constructed 22 villages and settlements housing an estimated 2,284 residential units. Also, nearly 7,000 people have been relocated to areas of Bhutan which were previously unpopulated, a recent report by Robert Barnett, research associate at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) said.

Meanwhile, a report titled “Forceful Diplomacy: China’s cross-border villages in Bhutan," said that China has annexed about 825 sq km “that was formerly within Bhutan”, constituting little more than 2 per cent of the country’s territory.