Tensions between New Delhi and Beijing showed no signs of abating, as China on Thursday issued a second travel advisory warning its citizens against traveling to India. Coming amidst the nearly two-month long standoff between the countries at Doklam in Bhutan, the Chinese advisory shows that Beijing has no intention of either softening its stance or backing down.
The advisory also comes in the midst of New Delhi asking the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to construct a stand-alone road from Marsimik La to Hot Springs in Ladakh. Once constructed, the 32.9-km standalone road will give security forces access to remote areas in the east Ladakh region, which has earlier witnessed aggression from Chinese forces.
Beijing has responded aggressively to India's initiative to build a road there. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that India was "slapping its own face" and that the "move shows that India says one thing and does another on the border issue." Hua also added that the construction of the road "was not conducive to peace and stability in the region."