The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday predicted that isolated places over Bihar, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Gujarat region are likely to receive heavy rainfall today.

The weather forecast agency further predicted that Saurashtra, Kutch, East Rajasthan and Gangetic West Bengal are also likely to receive heavy downpour later in the day.

"Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls are very likely at isolated places over Assam, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, West Rajasthan, Jharkhand, south Tamilnadu, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura," IMD said in its all India weather warning bulletin.

Squally weather likely to prevail over Gujarat coast and adjoining northeast Arabian Sea, southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean and Comorin area.The organisation has advised fishermen not to venture into these areas for the next few days.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday predicted that isolated places over Bihar, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Gujarat region are likely to receive heavy rainfall today.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday predicted that isolated places over Bihar, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Gujarat region are likely to receive heavy rainfall today. The weather forecast agency further predicted that Saurashtra, Kutch, East Rajasthan and Gangetic West Bengal are also likely to receive heavy downpour later in the day. "Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls are very likely at isolated places over Assam, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, West Rajasthan, Jharkhand, south Tamilnadu, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura," IMD said in its all India weather warning bulletin. Squally weather likely to prevail over Gujarat coast and adjoining northeast Arabian Sea, southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean and Comorin area.The organisation has advised fishermen not to venture into these areas for the next few days.

IMD predicts heavy rainfall over Bihar, Sikkim

The 18th batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which was to leave from New Delhi today was stopped and the batches which are on the move were shifted to safer places en route after the traditional Lipulekh route halted due to incessant rain here on Monday.

Every year India's Ministry of External Affairs organises the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage from June to September for Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist pilgrims.

The pilgrims take one of the two routes -- one is Lipulekh Pass that passes through important sites like Narayan Ashram, Patal Bhuvaneshwar and the other one is Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.

The route through Nathu La Pass (Sikkim) is motorable and suitable for senior citizens unable to undertake arduous trekking.

From Gangtok, the route passes through scenic places like Hangu Lake, and through the vast landscape of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tibet-can-play-an-important-role-in-promoting-india-china-ties-242028">Tibetan </a>plateau.&nbsp;

The 18th batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which was to leave from New Delhi today was stopped and the batches which are on the move were shifted to safer places en route after the traditional Lipulekh route halted due to incessant rain here on Monday.

The 18th batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which was to leave from New Delhi today was stopped and the batches which are on the move were shifted to safer places en route after the traditional Lipulekh route halted due to incessant rain here on Monday. Every year India's Ministry of External Affairs organises the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage from June to September for Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist pilgrims. The pilgrims take one of the two routes -- one is Lipulekh Pass that passes through important sites like Narayan Ashram, Patal Bhuvaneshwar and the other one is Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. The route through Nathu La Pass (Sikkim) is motorable and suitable for senior citizens unable to undertake arduous trekking. From Gangtok, the route passes through scenic places like Hangu Lake, and through the vast landscape of the Tibetan plateau.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra halted due to heavy rains

In a major boost to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), ten MLAs of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) on Tuesday joined the Saffron Party in presence of senior party leaders JP Nadda and Ram Madhav.

This comes a few days after SDF MLAs had met BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav.&nbsp; 
 
This is the first time that MLAs of a regional party in Sikkim have joined a national party. Ram Madhav welcomed the MLAs to the party and said BJP will play the role of a constructive opposition in the state. 
 
The SDF MLAs, who joined the BJP, are Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, Ugyen Tshering Gyatso, Narendra Kumar Subba, Dilli Ram Thapa, Karma Sonam Lepcha, Krishna Bahadur Rai, Tashi Thendup Bhutia, Farwanti Tamang, Pintso Namgyal Lepcha and Raj Kumari Thapa. 
 
Vowing to strengthen the BJP organisation in the state, Karma Sonam Lepcha said the youth of Sikkim are inclined towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to his "look east policy"."We want the BJP to bloom in Sikkim and would work hard at grass-root level. Young voters are with BJP," he said, hailing the Center's decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir

SDF MLAs crossover to the BJP comes as a&nbsp;major jolt to the party&nbsp;chief and former Sikkim chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling. The party was founded by Chamling in 1993.&nbsp; 
 
In the previous Assembly elections in the state, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) had won 17 out of the 32 Assembly seats whereas the SDF had bagged 15 seats. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

In a major boost to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), ten MLAs of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) on Tuesday joined the Saffron Party in presence of senior party leaders JP Nadda and Ram Madhav.

In a major boost to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), ten MLAs of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) on Tuesday joined the Saffron Party in presence of senior party leaders JP Nadda and Ram Madhav. This comes a few days after SDF MLAs had met BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav. This is the first time that MLAs of a regional party in Sikkim have joined a national party. Ram Madhav welcomed the MLAs to the party and said BJP will play the role of a constructive opposition in the state. The SDF MLAs, who joined the BJP, are Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, Ugyen Tshering Gyatso, Narendra Kumar Subba, Dilli Ram Thapa, Karma Sonam Lepcha, Krishna Bahadur Rai, Tashi Thendup Bhutia, Farwanti Tamang, Pintso Namgyal Lepcha and Raj Kumari Thapa. Vowing to strengthen the BJP organisation in the state, Karma Sonam Lepcha said the youth of Sikkim are inclined towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to his "look east policy"."We want the BJP to bloom in Sikkim and would work hard at grass-root level. Young voters are with BJP," he said, hailing the Center's decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir SDF MLAs crossover to the BJP comes as a major jolt to the party chief and former Sikkim chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling. The party was founded by Chamling in 1993. In the previous Assembly elections in the state, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) had won 17 out of the 32 Assembly seats whereas the SDF had bagged 15 seats. (With inputs from agencies)

Ten Sikkim Democratic Front MLAs join Bharatiya Janata Party

Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds (30-40 km) at isolated places very likely over West Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh, predicted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-meteorological-department-issues-red-code-warning-for-delhi-223092">India Meteorological Department</a> (IMD) on Thursday.&nbsp;

Besides, the weather forecasting agency has given thunderstorm and lightning warning for Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim added IMD in its All India Weather Warning Bulletin.

&nbsp;"Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Konkan, Goa, Assam and Meghalaya and heavy rainfall at isolated places over Kerala, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Coastal Karnataka, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura."

Rough sea conditions are likely to prevail over southwest and adjoining west-central Arabian Sea. The organisation has advised fishermen not to venture into these areas.

Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds (30-40 km) at isolated places very likely over West Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh, predicted India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday.

Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds (30-40 km) at isolated places very likely over West Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh, predicted India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday. Besides, the weather forecasting agency has given thunderstorm and lightning warning for Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand. Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim added IMD in its All India Weather Warning Bulletin. "Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Konkan, Goa, Assam and Meghalaya and heavy rainfall at isolated places over Kerala, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Coastal Karnataka, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura." Rough sea conditions are likely to prevail over southwest and adjoining west-central Arabian Sea. The organisation has advised fishermen not to venture into these areas.

India Meteorological Department issues thunderstorm warning for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) leader Prem Singh Tamang, better known as PS Golay, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Sikkim on Monday.

His party, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), won 17 of the 32 Assembly seats in the state in the recently concluded Assembly polls.

Golay replaces Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) leader and five-time Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, who was in power for the last 24 years.

SKM, which came into being in 2013, bagged 17 seats, one more than required for a majority in the 32-member Assembly, whereas Chamling's SDF bagged 15 seats.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Golay and assured of support from the Centre.

"Congratulations to Shri Prem Singh Tamang on taking oath as Sikkim's Chief Minister. I assure full support from the Centre in furthering Sikkim's development", Modi tweeted.

Echoing similar sentiments, Home Minister Rajnath Singh also extended his best wishes to the Sikkim Chief Minister.

Rajnath tweeted, "I congratulate Shri Prem Singh Tamang on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi has assured him of full support from the Centre for the development of the state. I extend my best wishes to Shri Tamang for his tenure ahead."

Both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections were held in Sikkim on April 11.&nbsp;

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) leader Prem Singh Tamang, better known as PS Golay, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Sikkim on Monday. His party, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), won 17 of the 32 Assembly seats in the state in the recently concluded Assembly polls.

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) leader Prem Singh Tamang, better known as PS Golay, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Sikkim on Monday. His party, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), won 17 of the 32 Assembly seats in the state in the recently concluded Assembly polls. Golay replaces Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) leader and five-time Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, who was in power for the last 24 years. SKM, which came into being in 2013, bagged 17 seats, one more than required for a majority in the 32-member Assembly, whereas Chamling's SDF bagged 15 seats. Following the oath-taking ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Golay and assured of support from the Centre. "Congratulations to Shri Prem Singh Tamang on taking oath as Sikkim's Chief Minister. I assure full support from the Centre in furthering Sikkim's development", Modi tweeted. Echoing similar sentiments, Home Minister Rajnath Singh also extended his best wishes to the Sikkim Chief Minister. Rajnath tweeted, "I congratulate Shri Prem Singh Tamang on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi has assured him of full support from the Centre for the development of the state. I extend my best wishes to Shri Tamang for his tenure ahead." Both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections were held in Sikkim on April 11.

Prem Singh Tamang sworn in as Sikkim Chief Minister

Indian Army officer Major Nisheet Dogra passed away after being trapped under nearly six feet of snow in north Sikkim.

As per the Army, there was unprecedented snowfall and high winds resulting in blizzard-like conditions in north Sikkim on Saturday.

It was discovered that Major Dogra was missing, following which a search was launched to locate the officer.

"After an intense search, at about 10 pm, the search party located Maj Nisheet Dogra who was trapped under five to six feet of snow. The officer was given immediate medical aid. However, around midnight, the brave heart lost the battle of life and attained martyrdom in the line of duty," read an official statement on Sunday.

The mortal remains of the officer are being flown to Bengdubi from where they will be taken to his native place under arrangements of the Army.&nbsp;

Indian Army officer Major Nisheet Dogra passed away after being trapped under nearly six feet of snow in north Sikkim. As per the Army, there was unprecedented snowfall and high winds resulting in blizzard-like conditions in north Sikkim on Saturday.

Indian Army officer Major Nisheet Dogra passed away after being trapped under nearly six feet of snow in north Sikkim. As per the Army, there was unprecedented snowfall and high winds resulting in blizzard-like conditions in north Sikkim on Saturday. It was discovered that Major Dogra was missing, following which a search was launched to locate the officer. "After an intense search, at about 10 pm, the search party located Maj Nisheet Dogra who was trapped under five to six feet of snow. The officer was given immediate medical aid. However, around midnight, the brave heart lost the battle of life and attained martyrdom in the line of duty," read an official statement on Sunday. The mortal remains of the officer are being flown to Bengdubi from where they will be taken to his native place under arrangements of the Army.

Army officer dies after getting trapped in snow in north Sikkim

Indian Army rescues stranded tourists from Sikkim

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who launched the Hamro Sikkim Party in April, said Thursday his outfit will form a coalition with anyone wanting to work for the betterment of his state.

Bhutia said that the HSP is currently in touch with national as well as regional parties which want progress of Sikkim.

"We are talking to all the parties right now. Whichever parties -- national or regional -- are wanting to work for the betterment of Sikkim, we are ready to form a coalition...," Bhutia told PTI when asked about his party forming a coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party or any other party in the Lok Sabha polls.

The general elections are scheduled to be held next year in the country. 
Bhaichung had contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections as a Trinamool Congress candidate, but had lost the polls and quit Mamata Banerjee's party in February.

The former Indian football captain had then floated the HSP in April this year.

Meanwhile, the Hamro Sikkim Party Thursday filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to change the "immigrant" tag of the Sikkimese Nepali community, he told reporters here.

Bhutia said the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has not done anything to change the word from the apex court verdict delivered around 40 years back even as it had promised in its manifesto.

The Sikkimese Nepali community had been tagged as "immigrant" in a Supreme Court judgement. Sikkim has three ethnic communities Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalis.

"We have filed a petition in the Supreme Court today urging it to look into it so that the word of immigrant is not used for the Sikkimese Nepali community..." he said.&nbsp;

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who launched the Hamro Sikkim Party in April, said Thursday his outfit will form a coalition with anyone wanting to work for the betterment of his state.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who launched the Hamro Sikkim Party in April, said Thursday his outfit will form a coalition with anyone wanting to work for the betterment of his state. Bhutia said that the HSP is currently in touch with national as well as regional parties which want progress of Sikkim. "We are talking to all the parties right now. Whichever parties -- national or regional -- are wanting to work for the betterment of Sikkim, we are ready to form a coalition...," Bhutia told PTI when asked about his party forming a coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party or any other party in the Lok Sabha polls. The general elections are scheduled to be held next year in the country. Bhaichung had contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections as a Trinamool Congress candidate, but had lost the polls and quit Mamata Banerjee's party in February. The former Indian football captain had then floated the HSP in April this year. Meanwhile, the Hamro Sikkim Party Thursday filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to change the "immigrant" tag of the Sikkimese Nepali community, he told reporters here. Bhutia said the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has not done anything to change the word from the apex court verdict delivered around 40 years back even as it had promised in its manifesto. The Sikkimese Nepali community had been tagged as "immigrant" in a Supreme Court judgement. Sikkim has three ethnic communities Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalis. "We have filed a petition in the Supreme Court today urging it to look into it so that the word of immigrant is not used for the Sikkimese Nepali community..." he said.

Will form coalition with anyone wanting to work for betterment of Sikkim: Bhaichung Bhutia

Sikkim has won the UN's Future Policy Gold Award for becoming the world's first 100 percent organic state.&nbsp;

The award was received by Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling. Receiving the award, Chamling appealed to the world community to not carry out any development work at the cost of the environment.&nbsp;

He added that he thought it was definitely possible to build an organic world.&nbsp;

The award was presented to Chamling by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's Deputy Director Maria Helena Semedo.&nbsp;

Presenting the award, news reports quoted Semedo as saying Sikkim was an "outstanding example" of how to successfully transform the food system and "ensure respect for people and planet".&nbsp;

She added that if we want to protect the planet, we have to move towards chemical-free farming.&nbsp;

Sikkim beat 51 other nominees from around the world to win the award.&nbsp;

Brazil, Denmark and Quito, Ecuador, shared the silver award which was presented by the environmental activist Vandana Shiva.

Sikkim has won the UN's Future Policy Gold Award for becoming the world's first 100 percent organic state. The award was received by Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling.

Sikkim has won the UN's Future Policy Gold Award for becoming the world's first 100 percent organic state. The award was received by Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling. Receiving the award, Chamling appealed to the world community to not carry out any development work at the cost of the environment. He added that he thought it was definitely possible to build an organic world. The award was presented to Chamling by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's Deputy Director Maria Helena Semedo. Presenting the award, news reports quoted Semedo as saying Sikkim was an "outstanding example" of how to successfully transform the food system and "ensure respect for people and planet". She added that if we want to protect the planet, we have to move towards chemical-free farming. Sikkim beat 51 other nominees from around the world to win the award. Brazil, Denmark and Quito, Ecuador, shared the silver award which was presented by the environmental activist Vandana Shiva.

Sikkim wins UN award for becoming world's first 100% organic state

Prime Minister&nbsp;Narendra Modi&nbsp;will inaugurate&nbsp;Pakyong Airport,&nbsp;Sikkim's first-ever airport, later in the day.

The airport, which is located at Pakyong, is a Greenfield airport which will circumvent the need for a five-hour journey through mountainous roads and bring citizens of&nbsp;Sikkimcloser to the state capital.

Located around 60 kms from the Indo-China border, the airport is strategically relevant from a security point of view. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will also find this airport convenient for landing and taking off, Union Minister for Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER), Dr&nbsp;Jitendra Singh, said on Sunday.

The establishment of the airport is expected to provide major impetus to tourism, with&nbsp;Sikkim&nbsp;being perceived as one of the most popular destinations for tourists all throughout the year.&nbsp;

It is also expected to cause a significant reduction in travel time for tourists, who earlier had to board from Bagdogra in West Bengal.

Built at an estimated cost of over ₹605 crore, the Pakyong airport is a new distinction for&nbsp;Sikkim, which has, in the last three to four years, achieved the distinction of becoming the first "Organic State" and also the first "Open Defecation Free" (ODF) state of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Pakyong Airport, Sikkim's first-ever airport, later in the day. The airport, which is located at Pakyong, is a Greenfield airport which will circumvent the need for a five-hour journey through mountainous roads and bring citizens of Sikkimcloser to the state capital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Pakyong Airport, Sikkim's first-ever airport, later in the day. The airport, which is located at Pakyong, is a Greenfield airport which will circumvent the need for a five-hour journey through mountainous roads and bring citizens of Sikkimcloser to the state capital. Located around 60 kms from the Indo-China border, the airport is strategically relevant from a security point of view. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will also find this airport convenient for landing and taking off, Union Minister for Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh, said on Sunday. The establishment of the airport is expected to provide major impetus to tourism, with Sikkim being perceived as one of the most popular destinations for tourists all throughout the year. It is also expected to cause a significant reduction in travel time for tourists, who earlier had to board from Bagdogra in West Bengal. Built at an estimated cost of over ₹605 crore, the Pakyong airport is a new distinction for Sikkim, which has, in the last three to four years, achieved the distinction of becoming the first "Organic State" and also the first "Open Defecation Free" (ODF) state of India.

PM Modi to inaugurate Sikkim's first-ever airport today

Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim scripted history in India on April 28 by becoming the longest serving Chief Minister of the country. On April 28, Chamling surpassed the record held by Jyoti Basu as the longest-serving Chief Minister of India.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Dr Raman Singh of Chhattisgarh, who is the longest-serving CM from the BJP and Naveen Patnaik, Odisha’s longest-serving CM—are in the race to clinch fourth and fifth terms in their states.

While veteran communist Jyoti Basu ruled West Bengal for 23 years from June 21, 1977 till November 6, 2000, Pawan Kumar Chamling became Chief Minister of the Himalayan state on December 12, 1994 and completed his 24th year in office on Sunday.

Chamling is set to take the record to another distance given that there is still one year more to go in his fifth term as the Chief Minister of Sikkim.&nbsp;

Here’s all you need to know about Pawan Chamling:

Chamling, born on September 22, 1950, is the fifth and incumbent Chief Minister of the northeastern state- Sikkim.

Chamling is the second chief minister in India after Jyoti Basu, of West Bengal to govern a state five terms in a row.

Chamling’s party Sikkim Democratic Front winning the 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014 Sikkim Legislative Assembly elections.

Chamling, who started his political journey in 1973 is the founder president of the Sikkim Democratic Front, which has governed the state for five successive terms since 1994

Prior to establishing the Sikkim Democratic Front, Chamling served as Minister for Industries, Information and Public Relations from 1989 to 1992 in the Nar Bahadur Bhandari cabinet.

In 1982, Chamling was chosen the president of Yangang Gram Panchayat unopposed. After three years, he became an MLA.

In 1989, he won the Assembly election with a record 97 percent of the total vote cast and became a Cabinet minister in the Nar Bahadur Bhandari ministry.

In 1993, Chamling founded the Sikkim Democratic Front that secured a majority in the Assembly polls the next year.

Since 1993, he has seen only success—in 2009, Chamling’s popularity was so high that he won all the 32 Assembly seats and the lone Lok Sabha seat.

Under Chamling’s leadership, Sikkim is one of the fastest growing states as its GDP between 2011-12 and 2016-17 expanded at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.05 percent to $2.93 billion whereas the Net State Domestic Product grew at a CAGR of 11.30 percent to $2.58 billion.

Though Chamling claimed growth, former Indian football team captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who recently launched his Hamro Sikkim Party in New Delhi, vowed to fight the 2019 Assembly elections on the planks of corruption, urban-rural growth gap and environmental degradation through dams. Bhaichung is enormously popular in the state and may emerge as a game changer with his hard-hitting issues.

Of the 32 Assembly seats, ruling SDF has 29 MLAs while opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha has only 2 seats. The lone independent MLA is a brother of the Chief Minister.

Sikkim CM Pawan Kumar Chamling on Sunday surpassed the record of former West Bengal CM Jyoti Basu by becoming the longest serving Chief Minister of any Indian state.

Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim scripted history in India on April 28 by becoming the longest serving Chief Minister of the country. On April 28, Chamling surpassed the record held by Jyoti Basu as the longest-serving Chief Minister of India. Meanwhile, Dr Raman Singh of Chhattisgarh, who is the longest-serving CM from the BJP and Naveen Patnaik, Odisha’s longest-serving CM—are in the race to clinch fourth and fifth terms in their states. While veteran communist Jyoti Basu ruled West Bengal for 23 years from June 21, 1977 till November 6, 2000, Pawan Kumar Chamling became Chief Minister of the Himalayan state on December 12, 1994 and completed his 24th year in office on Sunday. Chamling is set to take the record to another distance given that there is still one year more to go in his fifth term as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. Here’s all you need to know about Pawan Chamling: Chamling, born on September 22, 1950, is the fifth and incumbent Chief Minister of the northeastern state- Sikkim. Chamling is the second chief minister in India after Jyoti Basu, of West Bengal to govern a state five terms in a row. Chamling’s party Sikkim Democratic Front winning the 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014 Sikkim Legislative Assembly elections. Chamling, who started his political journey in 1973 is the founder president of the Sikkim Democratic Front, which has governed the state for five successive terms since 1994 Prior to establishing the Sikkim Democratic Front, Chamling served as Minister for Industries, Information and Public Relations from 1989 to 1992 in the Nar Bahadur Bhandari cabinet. In 1982, Chamling was chosen the president of Yangang Gram Panchayat unopposed. After three years, he became an MLA. In 1989, he won the Assembly election with a record 97 percent of the total vote cast and became a Cabinet minister in the Nar Bahadur Bhandari ministry. In 1993, Chamling founded the Sikkim Democratic Front that secured a majority in the Assembly polls the next year. Since 1993, he has seen only success—in 2009, Chamling’s popularity was so high that he won all the 32 Assembly seats and the lone Lok Sabha seat. Under Chamling’s leadership, Sikkim is one of the fastest growing states as its GDP between 2011-12 and 2016-17 expanded at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.05 percent to $2.93 billion whereas the Net State Domestic Product grew at a CAGR of 11.30 percent to $2.58 billion. Though Chamling claimed growth, former Indian football team captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who recently launched his Hamro Sikkim Party in New Delhi, vowed to fight the 2019 Assembly elections on the planks of corruption, urban-rural growth gap and environmental degradation through dams. Bhaichung is enormously popular in the state and may emerge as a game changer with his hard-hitting issues. Of the 32 Assembly seats, ruling SDF has 29 MLAs while opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha has only 2 seats. The lone independent MLA is a brother of the Chief Minister.

Sikkim's Pawan Chamling becomes longest serving Chief Minister, surpasses Jyoti Basu

Bhaichung Bhutia, veteran footballer and former Indian team captain announced his own political party on Thursday.&nbsp

As per reports, the party which is Sikkim-based has been named as ‘Hamro Sikkim' at its launch in New Delhi. &nbsp

Bhutia had earlier said that the party would take shape in the coming weeks as all members will be given individual responsibilities to strengthen the party from its grassroots.&nbsp

Bhutia's decision of forming a new party comes barely two months after the former footballer-turned-politician quit Trinamool Congress.&nbsp

Bhutia announced his plan to float a new party on Twitter yesterday.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I will be live on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Facebook?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Facebook</a> from Press Club of India tomorrow to announce our plans for Sikkim. It’s an outreach to national media to tell them that the beautiful state of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sikkim?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sikkim</a> is ready for change. So join me at 3 pm on 26th April as we engage the Nations Capital New Delhi.
— Bhaichung Bhutia (@bhaichung15) <a href="https://twitter.com/bhaichung15/status/989085313904644098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The name "Bhaichung" literally means "little brother”. Bhutia is one of the most popular figures in the state and is considered as a role model to many Sikkimese as well to people from other states of India.

On 23 January 2008, Bhutia was nominated for the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, for his contribution to Indian football. Three days later on 26 January, India's Republic Day, he was chosen for the Padma Shri along with national swimming champion Bula Choudhury.

Bhutia's decision of forming a new party comes barely two months after the former footballer-turned-politician quit Trinamool Congress.

Bhaichung Bhutia, veteran footballer and former Indian team captain announced his own political party on Thursday. As per reports, the party which is Sikkim-based has been named as ‘Hamro Sikkim' at its launch in New Delhi. Bhutia had earlier said that the party would take shape in the coming weeks as all members will be given individual responsibilities to strengthen the party from its grassroots. Bhutia's decision of forming a new party comes barely two months after the former footballer-turned-politician quit Trinamool Congress. Bhutia announced his plan to float a new party on Twitter yesterday. I will be live on #Facebook from Press Club of India tomorrow to announce our plans for Sikkim. It’s an outreach to national media to tell them that the beautiful state of #Sikkim is ready for change. So join me at 3 pm on 26th April as we engage the Nations Capital New Delhi. — Bhaichung Bhutia (@bhaichung15) April 25, 2018 × The name "Bhaichung" literally means "little brother”. Bhutia is one of the most popular figures in the state and is considered as a role model to many Sikkimese as well to people from other states of India. On 23 January 2008, Bhutia was nominated for the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, for his contribution to Indian football. Three days later on 26 January, India's Republic Day, he was chosen for the Padma Shri along with national swimming champion Bula Choudhury.

Hamro Sikkim: Bhaichung Bhutia launches own political party

The Doklam stand-off had put severe pressure on bilateral relations between New Delhi and Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj during a meeting, a statement from China said.

He added that lessons should be learnt from the episode so that &#39;such incidents are not repeated&#39;. The statement added that Wang had brought up the 73-day stand-off between the Indian and the Chinese troops in the Donglang (Doklam) sector near the Sikkim border in June, during a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi, on Monday.

Swaraj had then said at a press briefing that she and Wang had spoken about strengthening mutual trust to develop better understanding. The statement, published in Mandarin, said, &quot;The viciousness caused by the cross-border infiltration of the Indian border guards put bilateral relations under severe pressure. The matter was finally settled peacefully through diplomatic means, reflecting the maturing of bilateral relations. India-China ties maintained their momentum of development as a whole in 2017. Both sides have made efforts in this regard. But they (the efforts) were not very satisfactory. However, lessons should be learned and (such incidents) should be avoided again.&quot;

&quot;With mutual trust, the specific problems are expected to be resolved on the basis of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation,&quot; he added.

Wang&#39;s visit to New Delhi was the first by a top Chinese official to India after the Doklam stand-off.

He further said, &quot;Without mutual trust, individual problems will continue to overflow and erode the overall situation of bilateral relations. To this end, both sides should strengthen strategic communication at all levels, restore the established dialogue mechanism, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and at the same time control the existing differences and safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas.&quot;

Wang also called on President Ram Nath Kovind and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

The Dokalam stand-off came to an end on August 28 after the two sides agreed to withdraw their respective troops from the Doklam plateau and the Chinese troops stopped building a key road close to India&#39;s corridor.

The road was being built by China in an area also claimed by Bhutan. India had objected to the construction highlighting its security concerns. Besides this, Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency also quoted Wang as saying, &quot;Sino-Indian relations are at a crucial moment when both sides need to make right choice on the future of the bilateral relations.&quot;

The Doklam stand-off had put severe pressure on bilateral relations between New Delhi and Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj during a meeting, a statement from China said.

The Doklam stand-off had put severe pressure on bilateral relations between New Delhi and Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj during a meeting, a statement from China said. He added that lessons should be learnt from the episode so that 'such incidents are not repeated'. The statement added that Wang had brought up the 73-day stand-off between the Indian and the Chinese troops in the Donglang (Doklam) sector near the Sikkim border in June, during a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi, on Monday. Swaraj had then said at a press briefing that she and Wang had spoken about strengthening mutual trust to develop better understanding. The statement, published in Mandarin, said, "The viciousness caused by the cross-border infiltration of the Indian border guards put bilateral relations under severe pressure. The matter was finally settled peacefully through diplomatic means, reflecting the maturing of bilateral relations. India-China ties maintained their momentum of development as a whole in 2017. Both sides have made efforts in this regard. But they (the efforts) were not very satisfactory. However, lessons should be learned and (such incidents) should be avoided again." "With mutual trust, the specific problems are expected to be resolved on the basis of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation," he added. Wang's visit to New Delhi was the first by a top Chinese official to India after the Doklam stand-off. He further said, "Without mutual trust, individual problems will continue to overflow and erode the overall situation of bilateral relations. To this end, both sides should strengthen strategic communication at all levels, restore the established dialogue mechanism, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and at the same time control the existing differences and safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas." Wang also called on President Ram Nath Kovind and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The Dokalam stand-off came to an end on August 28 after the two sides agreed to withdraw their respective troops from the Doklam plateau and the Chinese troops stopped building a key road close to India's corridor. The road was being built by China in an area also claimed by Bhutan. India had objected to the construction highlighting its security concerns. Besides this, Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency also quoted Wang as saying, "Sino-Indian relations are at a crucial moment when both sides need to make right choice on the future of the bilateral relations."

Doklam stand-off put 'severe pressure' on ties with India: China

Priyanka Chopra faced a backlash after she said&nbsp;Sikkim is&nbsp;&quot;troubled by insurgency&quot;.

Priyanka was talking to ET Canada about her new film Pahuna: The Little Visitors, which she said is the first movie to come out of the region.

People were quick to point out that Sikkim is&nbsp;actually not troubled by insurgency -- it has no insurgent groups -- and that there have been a number of films from the region.&nbsp;

Priyanka is in Canada for the Toronto International Film Festival.&nbsp;

Her exact words were: &quot;This is a Sikkimese film. It is a small state in the North East of India, who never had a film industry or anyone who made films from there. And this is the first film ever that&#39;s come out of that region because it&#39;s very troubled with insurgency.&quot;

Watch what Priyanka said below:&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tm6uPcPF9kg" width="560"></iframe>

The Twitterati of course quickly pointed out that Sikkim remains &quot;one of the most peaceful states&quot; in the country.

And very helpfully listed some of the films that have come out of the region.

Here are a few reactions:&nbsp;

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strongly condemn the statements of <a href="https://twitter.com/priyankachopra">@priyankachopra</a> against&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sikkim?src=hash">#Sikkim</a> 
Shame on you&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PriyankaChopra?src=hash">#PriyankaChopra</a>
&mdash; Shubham Tamang (@ShubhamTamang) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShubhamTamang/status/908183721387319297">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Sikkim is one of the most peaceful states, dear Priyanka. We don&#39;t have any insurgency here. Plz comment responsibly.<a href="https://twitter.com/priyankachopra">@priyankachopra</a>
&mdash; Santosh Subba (@sonupondhak) <a href="https://twitter.com/sonupondhak/status/907840055020015616">September 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/priyankachopra">@priyankachopra</a> films from Sikkim by Sikkimese directors: Kaatha &amp; Myth by Prashant Rasaily, Letter by Samten Bhutia to name a few.
&mdash; Sunita Chamling (@sunitacr) <a href="https://twitter.com/sunitacr/status/907871019368570882">September 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Sikkim had a very evolved art industry with can give Bollywood run for their money <a href="https://twitter.com/priyankachopra">@priyankachopra</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PaakhiATyrewala">@PaakhiATyrewala</a>
&mdash; binita chamling (@BinitaChamling) <a href="https://twitter.com/BinitaChamling/status/907870905526661120">September 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PriyankaChopra?src=hash">#PriyankaChopra</a> says <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sikkim?src=hash">#Sikkim</a> is a troubled state in interview 2 US media. Pea-sized brain, zero homework. Is this how u make money?
&mdash; Indira Laisram (@indira_laisram) <a href="https://twitter.com/indira_laisram/status/908115334845972480">September 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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A few people did speak up in Priyanka&#39;s defence:

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Sikkim government claimed that Pahuna is it&#39;s 1st feature film. She just said what they told her. She meant insurgency at border with Nepal
&mdash; Kumar (@Kumar_Kaif) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kumar_Kaif/status/908184863005605893">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, Pahuna got a standing ovation at the festival.

Priyanka had, in her interview, talked about the movie&#39;s storyline. &ldquo;This is a film about two kids and their perspective on the refugee crisis on being moved from one place to another without understanding the reason,&rdquo; she said. &nbsp;

Priyanka is also the brand ambassador of Assam.

&nbsp;

People were quick to point out that Sikkim is actually very peaceful

Priyanka Chopra faced a backlash after she said Sikkim is "troubled by insurgency". Priyanka was talking to ET Canada about her new film Pahuna: The Little Visitors, which she said is the first movie to come out of the region. People were quick to point out that Sikkim is actually not troubled by insurgency -- it has no insurgent groups -- and that there have been a number of films from the region. Priyanka is in Canada for the Toronto International Film Festival. Her exact words were: "This is a Sikkimese film. It is a small state in the North East of India, who never had a film industry or anyone who made films from there. And this is the first film ever that's come out of that region because it's very troubled with insurgency." Watch what Priyanka said below: The Twitterati of course quickly pointed out that Sikkim remains "one of the most peaceful states" in the country. And very helpfully listed some of the films that have come out of the region. Here are a few reactions: strongly condemn the statements of @priyankachopra against #Sikkim Shame on you #PriyankaChopra — Shubham Tamang (@ShubhamTamang) September 14, 2017 × Sikkim is one of the most peaceful states, dear Priyanka. We don't have any insurgency here. Plz comment responsibly.@priyankachopra — Santosh Subba (@sonupondhak) September 13, 2017 × @priyankachopra films from Sikkim by Sikkimese directors: Kaatha & Myth by Prashant Rasaily, Letter by Samten Bhutia to name a few. — Sunita Chamling (@sunitacr) September 13, 2017 × Sikkim had a very evolved art industry with can give Bollywood run for their money @priyankachopra @PaakhiATyrewala — binita chamling (@BinitaChamling) September 13, 2017 × #PriyankaChopra says #Sikkim is a troubled state in interview 2 US media. Pea-sized brain, zero homework. Is this how u make money? — Indira Laisram (@indira_laisram) September 13, 2017 × A few people did speak up in Priyanka's defence: Sikkim government claimed that Pahuna is it's 1st feature film. She just said what they told her. She meant insurgency at border with Nepal — Kumar (@Kumar_Kaif) September 14, 2017 × Meanwhile, Pahuna got a standing ovation at the festival. Priyanka had, in her interview, talked about the movie's storyline. “This is a film about two kids and their perspective on the refugee crisis on being moved from one place to another without understanding the reason,” she said. Priyanka is also the brand ambassador of Assam.

Priyanka Chopra says Sikkim 'troubled by insurgency', faces backlash

International reactions on the current Doklam tension have been quite cautious. Many major countries, including the United States and Australia have reacted to India-China border stand-off that involves Bhutan. The United States State Department Spokesman Heather Nauert had stated earlier to resolve the Doklam border stand-off through &ldquo;direct dialogue&rdquo; while Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had stated that both India and China should resolve the dispute peacefully without any escalation. Given the sensitivity of the matter, much of these reactions, however, have taken a neutral stance indicating to the fact that none of these countries overtly wants to support either China or India.&nbsp;

In contrast to these cautious international reactions, Japan seems to be quite eloquent and bold. Though Japan was quite late in commenting on the Doklam border tension, the Japanese Ambassador to India who also holds the Ambassadorship to Bhutan concurrently, Kenji Hiramatsu, recently stated that it is important for the &lsquo;parties involved in the Doklam border tension to not resort to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force&rsquo;. Calling for a &lsquo;peaceful&rsquo; resolution to the long-standing India-China stand-off in Doklam, the Japanese Ambassador explicitly acknowledged India&rsquo;s stance by stating that &lsquo;India is involved in this incident based on its bilateral agreement with Bhutan&rsquo;. This statement may have neutral wordings, but a close appraisal of this statement reveals how Japan has spoken the unsaid, by explicitly supporting India on the Doklam tension.&nbsp;

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<h5>The statement by the Japanese Ambassador, undoubtedly, was a pro-India statement, supporting New Delhi on the matter.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The statement by the Japanese Ambassador, undoubtedly, was a pro-India statement, supporting New Delhi on the matter. " target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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</div>
</div>

The statement by the Japanese Ambassador, undoubtedly, was a pro-India statement, supporting New Delhi on the matter. This statement clearly points out to the strategic understanding both New Delhi and Tokyo are currently sharing with each other on sensitive matters. The Japanese stance further explains a number of issues that should not be missed out in the broader context of Japan, India and their bilateral relations.&nbsp;

First, the Japanese stance on Doklam reveals the significance of preserving the &lsquo;status-quo&rsquo; on territorial disputes that have implications for Japan and the region. The Japanese attempt of touching the issue of &lsquo;status-quo&rsquo; is certainly an exclusive one since none of these major countries, such as the United States and Australia have commented on the &lsquo;status-quo&rsquo; issue while reacting on the Doklam border tension. India must appreciate this perspective by the Japanese on Doklam.&nbsp;

This perspective, however, is derivative of Tokyo&rsquo;s increasing concern over the Chinese maritime law enforcement agency&#39;s (CMLEA) involvement in the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea as well as China&rsquo;s attempt at changing the facts on the ground in the South China Sea. These actions are seen by Japan as gradually disturbing the &lsquo;status-quo&rsquo; existing in the region.&nbsp;

Chinese naval vessels have frequently been visiting the Japanese territorial waters and that has troubled Tokyo for some time. Through its newly released 2017 Defense White Paper, Tokyo reportedly outlines how China is gradually trying to &#39;change the status quo by coercion in the East and the South China Sea dispute. All this while, Japan has tried to garner international support on the matter, including an attempt to develop a shared understanding with India. A positive statement on Doklam and touching the sensitive issue of &lsquo;status-quo&rsquo; unveils the Japanese intention of exposing China&rsquo;s aggressive attempt at changing the &lsquo;status-quo&rsquo; in relation to land and maritime territorial disputes. Therefore, this Japanese stance calls for a greater India-Japan dialogue, mainly in developing a shared perspective on land and maritime disputes, locally and regionally.&nbsp;

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<h5>A positive statement on Doklam and touching the sensitive issue of &lsquo;status-quo&rsquo; unveils the Japanese intention of exposing China&rsquo;s aggressive attempt.</h5>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=A positive statement on Doklam and touching the sensitive issue of ?status-quo? unveils the Japanese intention of exposing China?s aggressive attempt." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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Second, the Japanese statement that &lsquo;India is involved in the incident based on the bilateral agreement with Bhutan&rsquo; describes the country&#39;s resolve to support India diplomatically. Further, Japan has stated that it appreciates a &lsquo;peaceful resolution&rsquo; to the matter, referring to India&rsquo;s External Affairs Minister&rsquo;s approach. Clearly, Japan wants to passively underline the aggressive stance taken by the People&rsquo;s Liberation Army (PLA) in contrast to India&rsquo;s persistent effort for a &lsquo;peaceful resolution&rsquo; through diplomatic channels. Also, Japan intends to support India which Bhutan must take a serious note of.&nbsp;

The Japanese Ambassador&rsquo;s statement has a greater context for India-Japan cooperation. His statement indicates that Tokyo takes an immense strategic interest in India&rsquo;s Northeast provinces as well as in India&rsquo;s neighbours where Japan wants to emerge as a partner for development. Clubbing India and Bhutan together in the statement explains how Japan wants to make its presence noticed smartly as a power promoting &lsquo;peace&rsquo; and development both for India and its neighbouring countries.&nbsp;

Though the statement by the Japanese Ambassador is not a direct statement on Bhutan but it has to be also seen in the context of Japan-Bhutan bilateral relationship. For long, Japan is trying to boost its relationship with Bhutan, not only through the donor and recipient mode but also through trade and investment cooperation.&nbsp;

Kenji Hiramatsu&rsquo;s statement has a domestic narrative attached to it where the emphasis is again on &lsquo;peace&rsquo;&rsquo;. The term &ldquo;Proactive contribution to peace&rdquo; has been the catchphrase of Japan&rsquo;s approach to regional security matters, including its maritime disputes with China. In fact, in this context, Japan wants to acknowledge India for promoting peace, not aggression as a resolution to the Doklam tension. Both Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe had, in fact, agreed to have a shared understanding on cooperation between India and Japan in promoting &lsquo;peace and prosperity&rsquo;. The Joint Statement of November 11, 2016, released during Prime Minister Modi&rsquo;s visit to Tokyo, bears testimony to the fact.&nbsp;

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<h5>Both India and Japan need to translate their growing strategic interests to an action-oriented partnership, both in bilateral and regional contexts.</h5>
</blockquote>
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<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Both India and Japan need to translate their growing strategic interests to an action-oriented partnership, both in bilateral and regional contexts." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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Japan&rsquo;s stance on the Doklam tension might appear to be a symbolic gesture of support towards India, but it has other narratives attached to it to which India must read carefully and nurture its relationship with Japan accordingly in times to come. The bold Japanese stance on Doklam is essentially a reflection of its changing security and diplomatic outlook.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Japan under Shinzo Abe is debating on a new constitution by 2020. It wants to revise its age-old pacifist Constitution, which prohibits Japan to maintain an active armed force, limiting it to just maintain a self-defense force (SDF). The main debates in Japan surround over Article 9 of the Japanese pacifist Constitution and its fading relevance. Seen as a relic of the Cold War period, the growing voice in Japan is that Article 9 is unable to help the country to meet the emerging security and defence challenges of the post-Cold war period. &nbsp;

Hence, Japan wants to have a &lsquo;proactive pacifist&rsquo; constitution to meet new security challenges arising not only from China and North Korea but it also wants to be able to &ldquo;proactively&rdquo; contribute to peace in and around the neighborhood region. Japanese statement on Doklam may not directly be linked to this Japanese initiative to change the Constitution, but it undoubtedly derives from this changing security mindset that India must prepare to take a strong cognisance of.&nbsp;

Both India and Japan need to translate their growing strategic interests to an action-oriented partnership, both in bilateral and regional contexts. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&rsquo;s forthcoming visit to India must encourage both sides to have a careful and in-depth discussion on security matters that are local as well as regional in nature. On India&rsquo;s part, New Delhi must exhibit the character of a greater power in East Asia which should complement Japan&rsquo;s &ldquo;Proactive Pacifist&rdquo; security thinking. Further, India needs to gradually emerge as a greater security provider in the region which will complement the Japanese changing security outlook.&nbsp;

Japan wants to underline the aggressive stance taken by the People?s Liberation Army in contrast to India?s persistent effort for a ?peaceful resolution? of the Doklam tension

International reactions on the current Doklam tension have been quite cautious. Many major countries, including the United States and Australia have reacted to India-China border stand-off that involves Bhutan. The United States State Department Spokesman Heather Nauert had stated earlier to resolve the Doklam border stand-off through “direct dialogue” while Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had stated that both India and China should resolve the dispute peacefully without any escalation. Given the sensitivity of the matter, much of these reactions, however, have taken a neutral stance indicating to the fact that none of these countries overtly wants to support either China or India. In contrast to these cautious international reactions, Japan seems to be quite eloquent and bold. Though Japan was quite late in commenting on the Doklam border tension, the Japanese Ambassador to India who also holds the Ambassadorship to Bhutan concurrently, Kenji Hiramatsu, recently stated that it is important for the ‘parties involved in the Doklam border tension to not resort to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force’. Calling for a ‘peaceful’ resolution to the long-standing India-China stand-off in Doklam, the Japanese Ambassador explicitly acknowledged India’s stance by stating that ‘India is involved in this incident based on its bilateral agreement with Bhutan’. This statement may have neutral wordings, but a close appraisal of this statement reveals how Japan has spoken the unsaid, by explicitly supporting India on the Doklam tension. The statement by the Japanese Ambassador, undoubtedly, was a pro-India statement, supporting New Delhi on the matter. × The statement by the Japanese Ambassador, undoubtedly, was a pro-India statement, supporting New Delhi on the matter. This statement clearly points out to the strategic understanding both New Delhi and Tokyo are currently sharing with each other on sensitive matters. The Japanese stance further explains a number of issues that should not be missed out in the broader context of Japan, India and their bilateral relations. First, the Japanese stance on Doklam reveals the significance of preserving the ‘status-quo’ on territorial disputes that have implications for Japan and the region. The Japanese attempt of touching the issue of ‘status-quo’ is certainly an exclusive one since none of these major countries, such as the United States and Australia have commented on the ‘status-quo’ issue while reacting on the Doklam border tension. India must appreciate this perspective by the Japanese on Doklam. This perspective, however, is derivative of Tokyo’s increasing concern over the Chinese maritime law enforcement agency's (CMLEA) involvement in the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea as well as China’s attempt at changing the facts on the ground in the South China Sea. These actions are seen by Japan as gradually disturbing the ‘status-quo’ existing in the region. Chinese naval vessels have frequently been visiting the Japanese territorial waters and that has troubled Tokyo for some time. Through its newly released 2017 Defense White Paper, Tokyo reportedly outlines how China is gradually trying to 'change the status quo by coercion in the East and the South China Sea dispute. All this while, Japan has tried to garner international support on the matter, including an attempt to develop a shared understanding with India. A positive statement on Doklam and touching the sensitive issue of ‘status-quo’ unveils the Japanese intention of exposing China’s aggressive attempt at changing the ‘status-quo’ in relation to land and maritime territorial disputes. Therefore, this Japanese stance calls for a greater India-Japan dialogue, mainly in developing a shared perspective on land and maritime disputes, locally and regionally. A positive statement on Doklam and touching the sensitive issue of ‘status-quo’ unveils the Japanese intention of exposing China’s aggressive attempt. × Second, the Japanese statement that ‘India is involved in the incident based on the bilateral agreement with Bhutan’ describes the country's resolve to support India diplomatically. Further, Japan has stated that it appreciates a ‘peaceful resolution’ to the matter, referring to India’s External Affairs Minister’s approach. Clearly, Japan wants to passively underline the aggressive stance taken by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in contrast to India’s persistent effort for a ‘peaceful resolution’ through diplomatic channels. Also, Japan intends to support India which Bhutan must take a serious note of. The Japanese Ambassador’s statement has a greater context for India-Japan cooperation. His statement indicates that Tokyo takes an immense strategic interest in India’s Northeast provinces as well as in India’s neighbours where Japan wants to emerge as a partner for development. Clubbing India and Bhutan together in the statement explains how Japan wants to make its presence noticed smartly as a power promoting ‘peace’ and development both for India and its neighbouring countries. Though the statement by the Japanese Ambassador is not a direct statement on Bhutan but it has to be also seen in the context of Japan-Bhutan bilateral relationship. For long, Japan is trying to boost its relationship with Bhutan, not only through the donor and recipient mode but also through trade and investment cooperation. Kenji Hiramatsu’s statement has a domestic narrative attached to it where the emphasis is again on ‘peace’’. The term “Proactive contribution to peace” has been the catchphrase of Japan’s approach to regional security matters, including its maritime disputes with China. In fact, in this context, Japan wants to acknowledge India for promoting peace, not aggression as a resolution to the Doklam tension. Both Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe had, in fact, agreed to have a shared understanding on cooperation between India and Japan in promoting ‘peace and prosperity’. The Joint Statement of November 11, 2016, released during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Tokyo, bears testimony to the fact. Both India and Japan need to translate their growing strategic interests to an action-oriented partnership, both in bilateral and regional contexts. × Japan’s stance on the Doklam tension might appear to be a symbolic gesture of support towards India, but it has other narratives attached to it to which India must read carefully and nurture its relationship with Japan accordingly in times to come. The bold Japanese stance on Doklam is essentially a reflection of its changing security and diplomatic outlook. Japan under Shinzo Abe is debating on a new constitution by 2020. It wants to revise its age-old pacifist Constitution, which prohibits Japan to maintain an active armed force, limiting it to just maintain a self-defense force (SDF). The main debates in Japan surround over Article 9 of the Japanese pacifist Constitution and its fading relevance. Seen as a relic of the Cold War period, the growing voice in Japan is that Article 9 is unable to help the country to meet the emerging security and defence challenges of the post-Cold war period. Hence, Japan wants to have a ‘proactive pacifist’ constitution to meet new security challenges arising not only from China and North Korea but it also wants to be able to “proactively” contribute to peace in and around the neighborhood region. Japanese statement on Doklam may not directly be linked to this Japanese initiative to change the Constitution, but it undoubtedly derives from this changing security mindset that India must prepare to take a strong cognisance of. Both India and Japan need to translate their growing strategic interests to an action-oriented partnership, both in bilateral and regional contexts. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s forthcoming visit to India must encourage both sides to have a careful and in-depth discussion on security matters that are local as well as regional in nature. On India’s part, New Delhi must exhibit the character of a greater power in East Asia which should complement Japan’s “Proactive Pacifist” security thinking. Further, India needs to gradually emerge as a greater security provider in the region which will complement the Japanese changing security outlook.

Why Japan supports India and not China on Doklam

The United States said on Friday that it wants India and China to have a dialogue over the Dokalam stand-off.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s a situation that we have certainly followed closely,&quot; US state department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at a news conference.&nbsp;

&quot;As you know, we have relationships with both governments. We continue to encourage both parties to sit down and have conversations about that. And I&#39;ll just leave it at that,&quot; Nauert added.

Tensions are high as India and China have been locked in a face-off in the Doklam area for the last 50 days.

The stand-off ensued after &nbsp;Indian troops stopped the Chinese Army from constructing a road in the region.&nbsp;

Tensions are high as India and China have been locked in a face-off in the Doklam area for the last 50 days

The United States said on Friday that it wants India and China to have a dialogue over the Dokalam stand-off. "It's a situation that we have certainly followed closely," US state department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at a news conference. "As you know, we have relationships with both governments. We continue to encourage both parties to sit down and have conversations about that. And I'll just leave it at that," Nauert added. Tensions are high as India and China have been locked in a face-off in the Doklam area for the last 50 days. The stand-off ensued after Indian troops stopped the Chinese Army from constructing a road in the region.

Dokalam stand-off: US calls for India-China dialogue

China has said that it has shown &quot;utmost goodwill&quot; over the prolonged military standoff with India in the Sikkim sector but warned that its &quot;restraint&quot; has a &quot;bottom line&quot;.

The reaction from the Chinese defence ministry late last night came a day after the Indian External Affairs Ministry in a statement said that the peace and tranquillity of the India-China boundary constitutes the important prerequisite for the smooth development of bilateral relations.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/war-not-a-solution-to-doklam-standoff-sushma-swaraj-18562" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;War not a solution to Doklam standoff, says Sushma Swaraj</a>

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj last month made clear India&#39;s position on the over-a-month-long standoff in the Doklam area, saying both sides should first pull back their troops for any talks to take place, favouring a peaceful resolution.

The standoff began on June 16 after Chinese troops began constructing a road near the tri-junction with Bhutan, which India says was a unilateral action by Beijing to change the status quo in the area.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-india-needs-to-take-seriously-beijings-position-paper-on-doklam-18532">Also read:&nbsp;Why India needs to take seriously Beijing&rsquo;s Position Paper on Doklam</a>

New Delhi fears the construction of the road would allow China to cut off India&#39;s access to its northeastern states. Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson of the Chinese defence ministry, in a statement called on the Indian side to swiftly address the situation in a proper manner to restore peace and tranquillity in the border region.

&quot;Since the incident occurred, China has shown utmost goodwill and sought to communicate with India through diplomatic channels to resolve the incident. Chinese armed forces have also shown a high level of restraint with an eye to the general bilateral relations and the regional peace and stability,&quot; the spokesperson said, according to report in the state-run Xinhua news agency.

&quot;However, goodwill has its principles and restraint has its bottom line,&quot; he added.

The spokesperson urged the Indian side to give up the &quot;illusion of its delaying tactic, as no country should underestimate the Chinese forces&#39; confidence and capability to safeguard peace and their resolve and willpower to defend national sovereignty, security and development interests&quot;.

The spokesperson said the Chinese armed forces will resolutely protect the country&#39;s territorial sovereignty and security interests.

His comments also come after Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of a BRICS summit of NSAs from the member countries.

China in a late-night statement asked India to give up the 'illusion of its delaying tactic'

China has said that it has shown "utmost goodwill" over the prolonged military standoff with India in the Sikkim sector but warned that its "restraint" has a "bottom line". The reaction from the Chinese defence ministry late last night came a day after the Indian External Affairs Ministry in a statement said that the peace and tranquillity of the India-China boundary constitutes the important prerequisite for the smooth development of bilateral relations. Also read: War not a solution to Doklam standoff, says Sushma Swaraj External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj last month made clear India's position on the over-a-month-long standoff in the Doklam area, saying both sides should first pull back their troops for any talks to take place, favouring a peaceful resolution. The standoff began on June 16 after Chinese troops began constructing a road near the tri-junction with Bhutan, which India says was a unilateral action by Beijing to change the status quo in the area. Also read: Why India needs to take seriously Beijing’s Position Paper on Doklam New Delhi fears the construction of the road would allow China to cut off India's access to its northeastern states. Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson of the Chinese defence ministry, in a statement called on the Indian side to swiftly address the situation in a proper manner to restore peace and tranquillity in the border region. "Since the incident occurred, China has shown utmost goodwill and sought to communicate with India through diplomatic channels to resolve the incident. Chinese armed forces have also shown a high level of restraint with an eye to the general bilateral relations and the regional peace and stability," the spokesperson said, according to report in the state-run Xinhua news agency. "However, goodwill has its principles and restraint has its bottom line," he added. The spokesperson urged the Indian side to give up the "illusion of its delaying tactic, as no country should underestimate the Chinese forces' confidence and capability to safeguard peace and their resolve and willpower to defend national sovereignty, security and development interests". The spokesperson said the Chinese armed forces will resolutely protect the country's territorial sovereignty and security interests. His comments also come after Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of a BRICS summit of NSAs from the member countries.

'Restraint has its bottom line': China on Doklam standoff

Even as China warned India that its &quot;restraint has a bottom line&quot;, India said today (August 4) that it continues to engage with China diplomatically and has been coordinating with Bhutan to find a mutually-acceptable solution to the stand-off in Doklam.

&quot;We continue to engage with China through diplomatic channels to find a mutually acceptable solution,&quot; external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.

He also said that India has been in continuous coordination and consultation with Bhutan on the Dokalam issue.

Asked whether China&#39;s claim that India had reduced its troops from 400 to 40 in the disputed area, Gopal Baglay said it was an operational matter and refused to give a direct reply.

The external affairs ministry spokesperson said India&#39;s&nbsp;objective was to achieve peace and tranquillity and it would use diplomacy to achieve its aim.

In a statement late last night, China warned India that it had shown &quot;utmost goodwill&quot; over the prolonged military standoff with India in Doklam, and said its &quot;restraint has its bottom line&quot;.

&quot;Since the incident occurred, China has shown utmost goodwill and sought to communicate with India through diplomatic channels to resolve the incident. Chinese armed forces have also shown a high level of restraint with an eye to the general bilateral relations and the regional peace and stability,&quot; Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson for the Chinese defence ministry said in a statement.

&quot;However, goodwill has its principles and restraint has its bottom line,&quot;&nbsp;state-run Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said last month that India&#39;s position on the over-a-month-long standoff in the Doklam was that both sides should first pull back their troops for any talks to take place.

The stand-off&nbsp;in Doklam began on June 16 after Chinese troops began constructing a road near the tri-junction with Bhutan. India opposed the move a unilateral action by Beijing to change the status quo in the area which Bhutan claims as its own.

&nbsp;

The government says it continues to engage with China through diplomatic channels to find a mutually acceptable solution to the escalation between the two countries

Even as China warned India that its "restraint has a bottom line", India said today (August 4) that it continues to engage with China diplomatically and has been coordinating with Bhutan to find a mutually-acceptable solution to the stand-off in Doklam. "We continue to engage with China through diplomatic channels to find a mutually acceptable solution," external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said. He also said that India has been in continuous coordination and consultation with Bhutan on the Dokalam issue. Asked whether China's claim that India had reduced its troops from 400 to 40 in the disputed area, Gopal Baglay said it was an operational matter and refused to give a direct reply. The external affairs ministry spokesperson said India's objective was to achieve peace and tranquillity and it would use diplomacy to achieve its aim. In a statement late last night, China warned India that it had shown "utmost goodwill" over the prolonged military standoff with India in Doklam, and said its "restraint has its bottom line". "Since the incident occurred, China has shown utmost goodwill and sought to communicate with India through diplomatic channels to resolve the incident. Chinese armed forces have also shown a high level of restraint with an eye to the general bilateral relations and the regional peace and stability," Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson for the Chinese defence ministry said in a statement. "However, goodwill has its principles and restraint has its bottom line," state-run Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said last month that India's position on the over-a-month-long standoff in the Doklam was that both sides should first pull back their troops for any talks to take place. The stand-off in Doklam began on June 16 after Chinese troops began constructing a road near the tri-junction with Bhutan. India opposed the move a unilateral action by Beijing to change the status quo in the area which Bhutan claims as its own.

Doklam stand-off: After China's veiled threat, India says coordinating with Bhutan

The Indian Army&nbsp;is ready for a long haul in holding onto its position in the Doka La&nbsp;area near the Bhutan tri-junction.

The Indian soldiers deployed in the disputed area have pitched in tents, in an indication that they are unlikely to retreat unless there was reciprocity from&nbsp;China&#39;s PLA personnel in ending the face-off at an altitude of around 10,000 feet in the Sikkim section.

A steady line of supplies is being maintained for the soldiers at the site, official sources said, signalling that Indian Army is not going to wilt under any&nbsp;pressure from China.

At the same time they sounded confident of finding a diplomatic solution to the dispute, citing resolution of border skirmishes in the past through&nbsp;diplomacy.

Though China has been aggressively asserting that it was not ready for any &quot;compromise&quot; and that the &quot;ball is in India&#39;s court&quot;, the view in the security&nbsp;establishment here is that there cannot be any unilateral approach in defusing the tension.

Both the countries had agreed to a mechanism in 2012 to resolve border flare-ups through consultations at various levels.

The mechanism has not worked so far in the current case as the standoff near the Bhutan tri-junction, triggered by China&#39;s attempt to build a road in the&nbsp;strategically important area, has dragged on for over three weeks.

New Delhi has already conveyed to China that such an action would represent a significant change of status quo with &quot;serious&quot; security implications for&nbsp;India.

The road link could give China a major military advantage over India.

Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Doka La, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.

China and Bhutan are engaged in talks over the resolution of the dispute in the area. India argues that since it is a tri-junction involving the three&nbsp;countries, it also has a say in the issue, especially in the backdrop of 2012 agreement between special representatives of the two countries, that have till&nbsp;now held 19 rounds of talks.

Bhutan has no diplomatic ties with China. As a close friend and neighbour, Bhutan enjoys diplomatic and military support from India.

Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim.

The Indian soldiers deployed in the disputed area have pitched in tents

The Indian Army is ready for a long haul in holding onto its position in the Doka La area near the Bhutan tri-junction. The Indian soldiers deployed in the disputed area have pitched in tents, in an indication that they are unlikely to retreat unless there was reciprocity from China's PLA personnel in ending the face-off at an altitude of around 10,000 feet in the Sikkim section. A steady line of supplies is being maintained for the soldiers at the site, official sources said, signalling that Indian Army is not going to wilt under any pressure from China. At the same time they sounded confident of finding a diplomatic solution to the dispute, citing resolution of border skirmishes in the past through diplomacy. Though China has been aggressively asserting that it was not ready for any "compromise" and that the "ball is in India's court", the view in the security establishment here is that there cannot be any unilateral approach in defusing the tension. Both the countries had agreed to a mechanism in 2012 to resolve border flare-ups through consultations at various levels. The mechanism has not worked so far in the current case as the standoff near the Bhutan tri-junction, triggered by China's attempt to build a road in the strategically important area, has dragged on for over three weeks. New Delhi has already conveyed to China that such an action would represent a significant change of status quo with "serious" security implications for India. The road link could give China a major military advantage over India. Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Doka La, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region. China and Bhutan are engaged in talks over the resolution of the dispute in the area. India argues that since it is a tri-junction involving the three countries, it also has a say in the issue, especially in the backdrop of 2012 agreement between special representatives of the two countries, that have till now held 19 rounds of talks. Bhutan has no diplomatic ties with China. As a close friend and neighbour, Bhutan enjoys diplomatic and military support from India. Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim.

Indian Army ready for long haul in Doka La

In an unprecedented move, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi has released a video that talks directly to the&nbsp;Indian public.&nbsp;

In the video -- which is 3 minutes and 29 seconds long -- the embassy&#39;s political counsellor talks about the current standoff between India and China in Doklam.&nbsp;

Doklam is a plateau near where Bhutan, India (Sikkim), and Tibet meet.&nbsp;

India believes it belongs to Bhutan.&nbsp;

China claims it, and China and Bhutan are currently in talks to resolve the dispute.&nbsp;

Bhutan however has no diplomatic ties with China.&nbsp;

The standoff, reports say, began on June 16 this year when the Chinese Army began building a road in the region.&nbsp;

The Bhutanese Army tried to stop them but were pushed back.&nbsp;

They then approached Indian troops for help, who intervened, leading to the standoff.&nbsp;

In the video, the political counsellor says: &quot;Some Indian friends are deeply worried about the face-off between Chinese and Indian troops in Doklam.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;I have been to the China-Indian and China-Bhutan border areas many times, and have first-hand knowledge about Doklam. In this sense, I would like to share my perception on the current situation in Doklam.&quot;&nbsp;

He then goes on to say that &quot;on June 18, Indian troops crossed the Sikkim section of the China-India border, triggering the close-range face off.&quot;&nbsp;

He then says that &quot;this section is delimited by the The Convention between China and Great Britain Relating to Tibet and Sikkim in 1890.&quot;&nbsp;

And adds that &quot;In essence, China&#39;s territorial sovereignity has been undermined by the Indian border troops.&quot;&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eD27gE0A3Ws?ecver=1" width="560"></iframe>

He then says: &quot;After the incident, the Indian side claims that Doklam belongs to Bhutan, Chinese side changed the status quo and India has security concern. These are three major arguments of Indian side to justify its trespassing into the Chinese territory.&nbsp;

He then says &quot;these are three major arguments of Indian side to justify its trespassing into the Chinese territory.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;Based on my knowledge... &quot;, he then says, &quot;I would like to say India&#39;s positions are groundless.&quot;&nbsp;

Then: &quot;As to &#39;Doklam belongs to Bhutan&#39;, we have strong evidence to prove that Doklam belongs to China.&quot;&nbsp;

After giving his evidence, he concludes: &quot;As far as the solution is concerned, the Indian troops must pull back unconditionally and immediately. That is the precondition for any meaningful dialogue between China and India.&quot;&nbsp;

It is unclear what the Chinese hope to achieve by the video.&nbsp;

The standoff has had a number of consequences, including the calling off of the Kailash Mansarovar yatra -- through the Nathu La pass in Sikkim -- into Tibet.&nbsp;

The Chinese state-run Global Times, which is known to be hawkish, has run a number of alarming editorials egging on the dispute.&nbsp;

In one, the paper has said &ldquo;India has startling control and oppression over Bhutan, and as a result, Bhutan has not established diplomatic ties with its neighbor China or any other permanent member of the UN Security Council. Through unequal treaties, India has severely jeopardized Bhutan&#39;s diplomatic sovereignty and controls its national defense,&rdquo;

In another, it said China should encourage pro-independence feelings in Sikkim.&nbsp;

China had recognised Sikkim&#39;s 1975 merger with India in 2003 but the Global Times editorial said that stance could always be reversed.&nbsp;

Finally, just today, China said there would be no one-on-one meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Xinping on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, to which India replied that none had been planned in the first place.&nbsp;

It is unclear what the Chinese hope the video will actually achieve

In an unprecedented move, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi has released a video that talks directly to the Indian public. In the video -- which is 3 minutes and 29 seconds long -- the embassy's political counsellor talks about the current standoff between India and China in Doklam. Doklam is a plateau near where Bhutan, India (Sikkim), and Tibet meet. India believes it belongs to Bhutan. China claims it, and China and Bhutan are currently in talks to resolve the dispute. Bhutan however has no diplomatic ties with China. The standoff, reports say, began on June 16 this year when the Chinese Army began building a road in the region. The Bhutanese Army tried to stop them but were pushed back. They then approached Indian troops for help, who intervened, leading to the standoff. In the video, the political counsellor says: "Some Indian friends are deeply worried about the face-off between Chinese and Indian troops in Doklam." "I have been to the China-Indian and China-Bhutan border areas many times, and have first-hand knowledge about Doklam. In this sense, I would like to share my perception on the current situation in Doklam." He then goes on to say that "on June 18, Indian troops crossed the Sikkim section of the China-India border, triggering the close-range face off." He then says that "this section is delimited by the The Convention between China and Great Britain Relating to Tibet and Sikkim in 1890." And adds that "In essence, China's territorial sovereignity has been undermined by the Indian border troops." He then says: "After the incident, the Indian side claims that Doklam belongs to Bhutan, Chinese side changed the status quo and India has security concern. These are three major arguments of Indian side to justify its trespassing into the Chinese territory. He then says "these are three major arguments of Indian side to justify its trespassing into the Chinese territory." "Based on my knowledge... ", he then says, "I would like to say India's positions are groundless." Then: "As to 'Doklam belongs to Bhutan', we have strong evidence to prove that Doklam belongs to China." After giving his evidence, he concludes: "As far as the solution is concerned, the Indian troops must pull back unconditionally and immediately. That is the precondition for any meaningful dialogue between China and India." It is unclear what the Chinese hope to achieve by the video. The standoff has had a number of consequences, including the calling off of the Kailash Mansarovar yatra -- through the Nathu La pass in Sikkim -- into Tibet. The Chinese state-run Global Times, which is known to be hawkish, has run a number of alarming editorials egging on the dispute. In one, the paper has said “India has startling control and oppression over Bhutan, and as a result, Bhutan has not established diplomatic ties with its neighbor China or any other permanent member of the UN Security Council. Through unequal treaties, India has severely jeopardized Bhutan's diplomatic sovereignty and controls its national defense,” In another, it said China should encourage pro-independence feelings in Sikkim. China had recognised Sikkim's 1975 merger with India in 2003 but the Global Times editorial said that stance could always be reversed. Finally, just today, China said there would be no one-on-one meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Xinping on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, to which India replied that none had been planned in the first place.

Watch: Chinese embassy in Delhi releases video explaining its side of Doklam standoff

India&#39;s army chief visited the mountainous state of Sikkim bordering China on Thursday, where tensions have flared after Beijing accused New Delhi of sending troops into its territory and obstructing the construction of a road.

Small incursions and troop stand-offs are common along other parts of the contested 3,500 km (2175 miles) frontier, but a flare-up near strategically positioned Sikkim is rare.

General Bipin Rawat arrived in Gangtok, the capital of the tiny Himalayan state, before heading off to visit troop formations. A spokesman for the Indian army said the one-day trip was &quot;routine&quot; and planned before the recent tensions.

Reports of the incursion and a confrontation between troops emerged as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, the latest in a line of stand-offs reported during diplomatic initiatives.

India has deepened its military ties with the United States in recent years, worrying China, which is also unhappy with India&#39;s refusal to participate in Beijing&#39;s multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. India is concerned the project could cement China&#39;s dominance over Asia.

According to the Chinese interpretation of events, Indian guards crossed into the Donglang region earlier in June and obstructed work on a road on a plateau.

The two sets of troops then confronted each other close to a highly strategic valley controlled by China that separates India from Bhutan - a close Indian ally - and gives China access to the so-called Chicken&#39;s Neck, a slither of land that connects India to its remote northeastern regions.

Indian media have reported that the dispute began when China removed an old Indian bunker.

China says that unlike other parts of their shared border, the delineation of the frontier with Sikkim is settled, and it has the right to develop the area.

&quot;Donglang Region is part of China&#39;s territory,&quot; Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Thursday. &quot;China&#39;s road-building activities in Donglang on its own territory are totally reasonable and understandable.&quot;

Late on Thursday, the ministry released on its website two photographs it said showed Indian troops and at least two Indian military bulldozers on what it said was the Chinese side of the border.

The Nathu La Pass, which lies on the frontier between Sikkim and Tibet, was the site of a fierce border clash between Chinese and Indian troops in 1967.

China has accused India of sending troops into its territory and obstructing a road construction

India's army chief visited the mountainous state of Sikkim bordering China on Thursday, where tensions have flared after Beijing accused New Delhi of sending troops into its territory and obstructing the construction of a road. Small incursions and troop stand-offs are common along other parts of the contested 3,500 km (2175 miles) frontier, but a flare-up near strategically positioned Sikkim is rare. General Bipin Rawat arrived in Gangtok, the capital of the tiny Himalayan state, before heading off to visit troop formations. A spokesman for the Indian army said the one-day trip was "routine" and planned before the recent tensions. Reports of the incursion and a confrontation between troops emerged as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, the latest in a line of stand-offs reported during diplomatic initiatives. India has deepened its military ties with the United States in recent years, worrying China, which is also unhappy with India's refusal to participate in Beijing's multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. India is concerned the project could cement China's dominance over Asia. According to the Chinese interpretation of events, Indian guards crossed into the Donglang region earlier in June and obstructed work on a road on a plateau. The two sets of troops then confronted each other close to a highly strategic valley controlled by China that separates India from Bhutan - a close Indian ally - and gives China access to the so-called Chicken's Neck, a slither of land that connects India to its remote northeastern regions. Indian media have reported that the dispute began when China removed an old Indian bunker. China says that unlike other parts of their shared border, the delineation of the frontier with Sikkim is settled, and it has the right to develop the area. "Donglang Region is part of China's territory," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Thursday. "China's road-building activities in Donglang on its own territory are totally reasonable and understandable." Late on Thursday, the ministry released on its website two photographs it said showed Indian troops and at least two Indian military bulldozers on what it said was the Chinese side of the border. The Nathu La Pass, which lies on the frontier between Sikkim and Tibet, was the site of a fierce border clash between Chinese and Indian troops in 1967.

Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat  visits Sikkim amid tensions with China

A 22-year-old woman was allegedly raped by three men in a moving car in Gurgaon and thrown out on a road in Delhi in yet another chilling rape incident in Haryana days after the Nirbhaya-like case in Sonipat.

The woman, hailing from Sikkim, was attacked at around 2 am when she was returning from Delhi to her residence in Sector 17 here. As she reached near her house, she was dragged by three men into their Swift car. They then took turns to rape her in the moving vehicle while heading to Najafgarh in the national capital, 20 kms from here, a senior police officer told PTI quoting the victim&#39;s statement.

The woman had gone to visit Connaught Place with her friend on Saturday night. The accused then threw her out in the Najafgarh area and sped away, the officer said.

The woman later approached some passersby and informed the Delhi Police which alerted the Gurugram police.

(PTI)

The men dragged her into their car and took turns raping her

A 22-year-old woman was allegedly raped by three men in a moving car in Gurgaon and thrown out on a road in Delhi in yet another chilling rape incident in Haryana days after the Nirbhaya-like case in Sonipat. The woman, hailing from Sikkim, was attacked at around 2 am when she was returning from Delhi to her residence in Sector 17 here. As she reached near her house, she was dragged by three men into their Swift car. They then took turns to rape her in the moving vehicle while heading to Najafgarh in the national capital, 20 kms from here, a senior police officer told PTI quoting the victim's statement. The woman had gone to visit Connaught Place with her friend on Saturday night. The accused then threw her out in the Najafgarh area and sped away, the officer said. The woman later approached some passersby and informed the Delhi Police which alerted the Gurugram police. (PTI)

Gurgaon: 22 year old gang-raped in moving car, thrown out in Delhi

Hundreds of tourists and locals were stranded today in eastern Indian states of West Bengal and Sikkim following landslides due to heavy rains.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

While most highways remained cut off from the cities and towns, tourists were stranded on several arterial roads for several hours as they waited for the debris to get cleared. Normal life remained&nbsp;paralysed as locals could not step out of their homes due to waterlogging.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Landslides were reported in West Bengal&#39;s Alipurduar and Darjeeling districts. A portion of an arterial road between Siliguri and Sevok in Jalpaiguri district caved in due to landslip, sources informed WION. Another hill road&nbsp;in the district of Darjeeling also collapsed.

&nbsp;

Incessant rains over the last 48 hours, however,&nbsp;affected the repair work of these hill roads, official sources said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb said that the tourists are safe and the government will ensure all arrangements are being made for smooth movement of traffic. &ldquo;Repair work is&nbsp;going on the highways and the roads, where landslides have occurred. Meanwhile, all vehicles are being diverted to other routes till the time all roads are repaired. All tourists are safe,&rdquo; said Deb.

&nbsp;

In the eastern Indian state of Siliguri, services on National Highway 10, which connects Siliguri with Sikkim and Kalimpong (a hill station in West Bengal), remained disrupted due to the landslides. Another landslide was reported at Legship town, near Pelling town in Sikkim, severely affecting road traffic movement between Darjeeling and Legship.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Teesta and Jaldhaka rivers that flow through Jalpaiguri city of West Bengal, Mahananda river in Darjeeling, Santosh and Kaljani river in Alipurduar district have been overflowing in the wake of incessant rains. &nbsp;Several low-lying areas of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri have been inundated after the lock-gates on the Teesta river were opened. Weather office has predicted that these areas will receive more rainfall over the next 24 hours.

&nbsp;

West Bengal and Sikkim witness a steep surge in tourist footfalls during this time of the year. Locals and tourists participate in massive Durga Puja celebrations, a festival observed by the Bengali community.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

(WION)&nbsp;

While most highways remained cut off from the cities and towns, tourists were stranded on several arterial roads for several hours

Hundreds of tourists and locals were stranded today in eastern Indian states of West Bengal and Sikkim following landslides due to heavy rains. While most highways remained cut off from the cities and towns, tourists were stranded on several arterial roads for several hours as they waited for the debris to get cleared. Normal life remained paralysed as locals could not step out of their homes due to waterlogging. Landslides were reported in West Bengal's Alipurduar and Darjeeling districts. A portion of an arterial road between Siliguri and Sevok in Jalpaiguri district caved in due to landslip, sources informed WION. Another hill road in the district of Darjeeling also collapsed. Incessant rains over the last 48 hours, however, affected the repair work of these hill roads, official sources said. North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb said that the tourists are safe and the government will ensure all arrangements are being made for smooth movement of traffic. “Repair work is going on the highways and the roads, where landslides have occurred. Meanwhile, all vehicles are being diverted to other routes till the time all roads are repaired. All tourists are safe,” said Deb. In the eastern Indian state of Siliguri, services on National Highway 10, which connects Siliguri with Sikkim and Kalimpong (a hill station in West Bengal), remained disrupted due to the landslides. Another landslide was reported at Legship town, near Pelling town in Sikkim, severely affecting road traffic movement between Darjeeling and Legship. Teesta and Jaldhaka rivers that flow through Jalpaiguri city of West Bengal, Mahananda river in Darjeeling, Santosh and Kaljani river in Alipurduar district have been overflowing in the wake of incessant rains. Several low-lying areas of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri have been inundated after the lock-gates on the Teesta river were opened. Weather office has predicted that these areas will receive more rainfall over the next 24 hours. West Bengal and Sikkim witness a steep surge in tourist footfalls during this time of the year. Locals and tourists participate in massive Durga Puja celebrations, a festival observed by the Bengali community. (WION)

India: Hundreds stranded in West Bengal, Sikkim after landslides

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