New Delhi: China's official news agency has sent out signals that the ongoing border stand-off was caused, at least partially, by Beijing's desperate need to force an unwilling India to accept its Belt and Road programme. 

The border controversy was triggered after Chinese troops began constructing a road in Doklam area of Bhutan, which falls in the Sikkim-Tibet-Bhutan tri-junction. 

"Harbouring suspicion and apprehension toward China's intention, India has recently decided to stay away from the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, citing sovereignty concerns as its main reason," the Xinhua news agency said in a commentary admitting the military stand-off. 

It also accused India of "strategic myopia" about its infrastructure programme. 

The commentary is a signal from Beijing that it would reconsider its stand on the border stand-off if India decided to go ahead with implementing its favorite Belt and Road program, observers said. 

Launching the Belt and Road programme in border areas of Bhutan and Nepal may be a good way to pressurize India to accept the Chinese program, some analysts believe. But the border dispute might actually make it more difficult for New Delhi to accept the Chinese request on this issue, others say. 

Xinhua further explained, "Actually, as Chinese officials have stressed on many occasions, the initiative, aimed at promoting economic cooperation and connectivity, has no connection with or impact on sovereignty issues". 

Chinese media and official agencies have remained silent about the purpose of building a road in the remote area which will serve no economic purpose and only go to enhance China's military strength over India. 

China has repeatedly denied that it has any military goals in the Belt and Road program, and merely wants to ensure the development of the world as a whole. But road building in the disputed Doklam area tells a different story.

"Despite its strategic discomfort, it is important for India to get over its "China anxiety" and carefully assess the initiative, recognize its potential benefits and seize the opportunities," the commentary said, adding, "Instead of being rivals, the two countries, both of which are ancient civilizations endowed with a rich history, could become cooperative partners". 

In another commentary, the Chinese official news agency has accused India of interfering with China's construction work in the disputed Doklam area. India has "ignored international law and has seriously interfered with China's construction activities," it said.

It repeated the Chinese foreign ministry's claim that the 1890 Sikkim-Tibet treaty had "demarcated the China-India boundary". 
Chinese authorities do not discuss subsequent agreements and stick to the 1890 treaty because they suit Beijing's present efforts in the disputed area.