ISAS Insights

The latest military standoff between China and India at the Doklam plateau in the harsh Himalayan environment has ended through an “understanding” between these two Asian neighbours on 28 August 2017. However, the manner in which the two sides have portrayed the outcome shows that they have not yet fully normalised their relations despite a series of bilateral confidence-building measures (CBMs) agreed upon since 1993. Publicly unstated by both countries now, but going forward, it is time for them to begin addressing the real meaning of the doctrine of “mutual and equal security” embedded in these CBMs.