The face-off between the Chinese and Indian armed forces at Doklam, an area disputed between Bhutan and China, was caused by Beijing’s growing assertiveness with its neighbours. In this case the Chinese plan to build a road in the strategic region, in violation of the status quo, poses a potential threat to India’s critical Siliguri Corridor connecting its mainland to the northeastern region. The Chinese leadership however did not expect New Delhi’s adamancy which attracted the support of some other countries including Japan. Beijing nonetheless pursues a long term strategy to vassalise smaller countries in its neighbourhood
