The genesis of standoff between India and China over the Himalayas dates back by centuries. To give a more recent chronology of events:<\/p>\n
Presently, the Indian Army and the People\u2019s Liberation Army of China are again locked in a standoff at India-China-Bhutan tri-junction over China\u2019s attempt to build a motorable road in Doklam plateau<\/a>, which actually is Bhutanese territory.<\/p>\n The two countries also seem to be locked in another conflict, which is who will formally be able to tie the ancient practice of Tibetan medicine to its nation\u2019s patrimony that is make it a part of its cultural heritage, according to a New York Times <\/em>report<\/a>.<\/p>\n China had\u00a0filed<\/a> paperwork at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in March pressing for recognition of medicinal bathing which is one of many practices of Sowa Rigpa as part of its \u201cintangible cultural heritage\u201d. Following this, India has filed its own bid at the UNESCO staking claim for its cultural patrimony of the entire Sowa Rigpa.<\/p>\n Sowa-Rigpa, which means \u201cthe science of healing\u201d in English, is commonly known as the Amchi system of medicine. This is among the oldest documented medical traditions in the world and is believed to have originated in the 3rd century BC. Sowa Rigpa is practiced in China, India, Bhutan, Mongolia and Nepal.<\/p>\n \u201cLum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa, knowledge and practices concerning life, health and illness prevention and treatment are popular among the Tibetan people in China,\u201d reads the China\u2019s claim.<\/p>\n The India\u2019s claim, however, states, \u201cThe majority of theory and practice of Sowa Rigpa is similar to Ayurveda. The first Ayurvedic influence came to Tibet during 3rd century AD but it became popular only after 7th centuries with the approach of Buddhism to Tibet. Thereafter, this trend of exportation of Indian medical literature, along with Buddhism and other Indian art and sciences were continued till the early 19th century.\u201d<\/p>\n Western scholars say there are clear historical links between Ayurvedic and Tibetan medical traditions.<\/p>\n Both the dossiers will be considered during UNESCO\u2019s session in 2018. It is also believed that, UNESCO\u2019s recognition to Sowa Rigpa will definitely have tangible effects on its commercial aspects. Stephan Kloos, a medical anthropologist at the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, was quoted as saying that his preliminary calculations suggest that the industry\u2019s value could be approaching $1 billion.<\/p>\n Regarding the claim, Tashi Tsering Phuri, Director of the Tibetan Medical and Astro-Science Institute in Dharamsala, was quoted as saying that the founding text of Tibetan medicine is \u201cfor the whole world to enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2010, India had recognised Sowa Rigpa as an Indian medicinal system. Both the Houses of the Parliament had passed a bill<\/a> to include Sowa-Rigpa under Indian systems of medicine.<\/p>\n