On the edge of a territorial clash

Sensitive spot: The age-old friction between India and China over their 3,500km border magnifies the stakes, making both sides apt to turn disagreements into disputes, and disputes into conflicts. — AFP

THERE are just two things wrong with the India-China face-off over Doklam in Bhutan – that it should happen at all, and that it has lasted for weeks on end and continues to fester.

Any of these two unlikely scenarios would have been bad enough. To have both at once is nothing less than a tragedy for China and India alike.