Sikkim standoff: China’s foreign ministry releases map including region claimed by India

A map released by China to buttress its allegation that Indian troops ‘trespassed into its territory’ in Sikkim has raised questions over its authenticity as the map’s borders are in dispute with India and Bhutan’s perception of the frontiers in the region.

A report by Hindustan Times says the map was posted by the Chinese section of the foreign ministry’s website on Friday. “The map is especially different from the Indian perception of the Line of Actual Control in the depiction of the strategic tri-junction of India, Bhutan and China,” the report says.

The Chinese have claimed areas far south of what both India and Bhutan claim – New Delhi’s claim is till Batang La, while Beijing has laid claim to the territory till Mount Gipmochi.

To add to the complication, China and Bhutan also have a territorial dispute over the location Donglang or Doklam – where the current standoff began on June 16.

Both India and Bhutan have asked China to maintain status quo, with New Delhi saying the construction activity has “serious security implications”.

China has claimed the Donglang area has been with it since “ancient times”.