The "eyeball-to-eyeball standoff" between Chinese and Indian troops high in the Himalayas is the longest yet. Usually border incursions are sorted out within days, but this one has been going on for more than a month with no sign of it ending.

Whereas the vast majority of frictions at the Line of Actual Control occur in the disputed western and eastern sectors of the border, the current standoff has unfolded after Indian troops crossed the demarcated and mutually recognized Sikkim section of the border into Chinese territory.

The Indian troops incursion into Doklam was to obstruct China's construction of a road. In fact, over the past years there has been a lot of criticism in India about China's road and railway construction in the Tibet autonomous region. Which begs the question, why is India so sensitive about China's infrastructure construction. The answer to that question is a reflection of India's resistance to opening up, as well as its arrogance and sense of exclusiveness.