20 Indian Soldiers were martyred following a deadly clash between military personnel from India and China in Galwan on 16th June, 2020.
Issues at the border date back to1962. Since then, there have been conflicts regarding the clarification of the exact position of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Both the sides have been patrolling around the area in spite of the tensions prevailing. What exactly triggered the issue is assumed to be the disinterest of the Chinese government to the infrastructure development projects initiated by India in the land, which China claims to be the disputed land.
It seems unethical as well as absurd to see China trying to discard its ties with India by stimulating an issue at the borders. This, in turn, has shifted the national focus from Covid 19 to the LAC. However it is ironic to see China trying to dismantle its peaceful relationship with India at this point of time when the world keeps China as the prime suspect of creating the pernicious virus. China’s present strategy is simple. Primarily, what they are striving to implicate is to dismiss all those suspicions regarding Covid 19 by creating border chaos thus inducting and evoking the hold of global sentiment towards China’s idea of nationalism and national security. Besides, the Chinese government is trying to bring India to the role of the defensive and suspend all the infrastructure development works in Galwan. It was successful in generating and celebrating the idea of nationalism in the minds of people in the wake of elections.
To be more precise, it’s mainly about implementing a vote bank strategy so as to convince the citizens of China that their government stands firm with the cause of nationalism. The Galwan incident also misplaces a naive trust of togetherness that was said to be prevalent between China and India.
Reports of Chinese troops making a move towards the Indian territory reached New Delhi by the mid of April. However, in all probability it is to be understood that officials within the government have seriously overlooked these slow, but overwhelming processes of the People’s Liberation Army. It is also the responsibility of the intelligence agencies of India to maintain effective surveillance and visual records of the entire area. But here, it turned out to be a slip in noticing the PLA moving to its strength. PLA used this as an advantage so as to reinforce and establish their positions in the border. They dug and fortified bunkers along with setting up their gun sights almost 350 metres away from the Indian territory. A shared responsibility has to be taken up by all the central intelligence agencies as well the home ministry for leaving this matter unchecked and unnoticed.
India is not at its best of times now. The largest democratic country is now confronting an unstable political scenario. Central government has invited a lot of criticism from citizens throughout the nation. There has been no effective move from the part of Modi government to calm down millions of people infuriated by the implementation of CAA and NRC, making India’s social fabric a fragile and sensitive one. Nepal has raised issues regarding the boundary with India. Furthermore, they have approved their amended geographical map which has territories of India included in it.
Bangladesh too has developed a sense of resentment towards India after the implementation of CAA. At the same time, China has strengthened its ties with the neighbours of India. Nepal is a partner of the One Belt One Road policy of China. Bangladesh and Pakistan are partners of China in exchanging arms and ammunition. China is now initiating to set up a naval base near Lakshadweep with the help of Abdulla Yameen, President of Maldives. It is also on the move to gain a strategic advantage in the Bay of Bengal with the help of Bangladesh. The economy too is confronting an unprecedented downfall. Besides, the country is lacking an integrated and unified opposition to raise the concerns of the people as well as, bringing the imperious policies and flaws of the government to the limelight. There has been the prevalence of an ample tension scenario with Pakistan which has been aggravated since the abrogation of Article 370.
This evidently posed a big question to the sovereignty of both China and Pakistan. Altogether, China is in a well equipped position to inject chaos within the Indian subcontinent so as to worsen the plight as well as developing a strategic advantage in the borders. China is no longer a follower of the so-called peaceful way of development. It is now a super power which is trying to inculcate and establish its supremacy all over the world. Certain economic forecasts say that China could be the only major economy that does not face negative growth despite of the setbacks it faced during the outbreak of Covid 19.
Their present strategy is defined as ‘salami slice’ strategy in which a dominant power tries to swallow the allies that are considered to be less powerful. India is evidently a target of China for being the victim of the same. For China, it is distracting to see the India US ally which is on the progress. The US is keen on advocating India to be a member of the expanded G7. India’s foreign policies too have managed to enjoy broad consensus in the global scenario irrespective of the changing governments. For India, its partnership with the US is likely to make sense just like the one India had with the Soviet Union in 1971. This is indeed a matter of concern for China. China is doubtful of the creation of an Anti China axis as a result of India’s growing proximity to the US. To wage a war is not at all a practical idea at this point of time given the battering economy of the country and the Covid 19 scenario. As of now, dialogue and negotiation are the primary steps that India can adopt.
At the same time, it is important to gather diplomatic support in addition to the political support from countries around the world. Getting into a stronger military agreement with Japan and Taiwan can prove to be an advantage so as to gather military support if necessary. China plays a filthy game by exporting cheaper goods that replace indigenous goods of the country. The economy of China is boosted by its trade relation with India. It’s important for India to provide ample provisions and support to small scale industries and entrepreneurship so as to replace imported goods from China. India has to ensure that its peaceful coexistence with the neighbouring countries is restored. Diplomacy holds the key for the same.
Given the incidents in the past, the present confrontation in the borders will not be accepted as a matter of China’s good will in the global scenario, but a matter of concussion that has emerged out of India’s strength and position.
However, it’s high time for India to set the ball of diplomacy rolling so as to restore the peace at the borders. We should also realize that a government with a strong and colossal majority in the parliament can do much more than proscribing a few Chinese apps as a matter of counter action to the cause.
