India China standoff at the border. Maybe, the most crucial issue for our country at the moment alongside Falling Economy and COVID-19 Pandemic (which is also a chinese gift). The situation at the border is worsening every day but a large section of our country is not giving any heed towards it because they think that KANGANA RANAUT will be fighting for them at the border. Keeping jokes apart, let’s dwell into this serious issue.

How it all Started … ?????

All this started from April when China was slowly increasing it’s force, trying minor intrusions at the border. Finally on 15th June the Chinese troops crossed the LINE OF ACTUAL CONTROL (LAC), in the Galwan region and indulged in a non-arm clash with Indian troops which lead to the death of 20 Indian soldiers (though quite a many chinese too were killed) and sparked a serious tension in the Indo-China border history. The wounds on Indian soldiers suggested being hit by sharp objects and also some fractures.

Why I said history ? Because a violent and serious tension between India and China has erupted on border for the first time since 1975, which itself speaks of the gravity of the situation. China alleged that India was intruding into their border but this statement is absolutely a crap because Galwan is well inside the LAC then how come we be intruding.

 

What is the Border Dispute … ?????

Well … let’s see from the beginning. Though historically Indian border expands till whole of Ladakh according to McMohan Line set up during the time of british rule and when Tibet was not apart of China. But after the 1962 War China captured a portion of Ladakh (AKSAI CHEEN) and never returned it. As time passed, finally in 1997 India decided that this disputed border is creating a lot of troubles so they left their claim over Aksaai Cheen and went into an agreement with China over the new border line (excluding Aksaai Cheen) and this is how LAC came into existence.

The talks were not just limited to the border but also agreements were made that both countries will not intrude into each other’s territory, they will keep lesser force at LAC border and before any military exercise on border they will inform their counterpart. But, these bloody chinese have one be one dumped each and every point of the agreement.

Not so simple a Case

Actually … when the LAC was drafted there were a few regions where China had issues even after the agreement. The LAC is divided into 3 regions; Western Sector (Ladakh area), Middle Sector (Himachal-Uttarakhand region) and Eastern Sector (Arunachal and Sikkim). So even after the agreement China had problem with 23 ‘Areas’, out of which 11 are in western, 4 in middle and 8 in eastern respectively. The GALWAN Valley, where China has intruded at the moment is one of those areas from western sector. Also it should be noted that it’s TIBET with which our border goes but it is now a part of China

The Game of Fingers

The LAC is not as clearly defined as it seems in a Map, because the area mostly contains hills and rivers. There are a series of hills in the LAC area, which look like Fingers and are hence referred as Finger 1, Finger 2 … Finger 8. On 15th June China intruded and came in till Finger 4 (though later went to Finger 5 after Disengagement) but India wants it back at Finger 8

India claims that LAC is till Finger 8 and according to the agreement of keeping less forces at the border, India does monitoring and surveillance only up to Finger 4. Obviously similar thing is expected from China, but China claims that LAC is till Finger 2 only. Even on 15th June they attacked saying India was intruding in their lands (Finger 2 Area) but in reality it is clearly our area.

PM MODI’s Big Mistake

These types of issues are very sensitive and we all should be supportive towards the government in these times and so am I . But that doesn’t mean that I won’t object to any wrongdoing, specially when it was of such high magnitude that too by our prime minister. Our PM said that “No one has intruded into our border and nor have any of our land been captured”.

This statement was no less than a joke … if China didn’t intruded, did we intruded and how come our 20 soldiers were killed. It was absolutely childish I would rather say … giving such politically incorrect statement that too politically. Even China used the statement saying “See … even India’s PM is saying that we haven’t intruded inside their borders”.

 

So What’s Happening Now … ?????

Right from the very beginning, our external affairs minister S. JAISHANKAR has been holding meetings with chinese diplomats and there have been many agreements being done regarding maintenance of peace at the LAC. A result of which were some Disengagements (both countries pulling back some force from their current positions) and some lessening of forces. Also he is in talks with RUSSIAN counterparts as Russia has always been our friend in these situations. But … as must be very clear that all is not well and the game is on.

We have also been having a close watch at our defence needs and requirements as well. Some new purchases and procurements have been done alongside the delivery of RAFALE. Here we should see to it that we don’t spend too much time in doing POOJA of the weapons and celebrating our victory even before the match. But, whatever be the case it should be our first and foremost priority that we don’t get indulged in a War because after suffering from economic recession, then suffering the COVID blow if we suffer a War as well I fear we may end up getting into a Depression.

Conclusion : The Way Forward

It is and should be very clear that this is not the last tension we are having with China … maybe many more are awaiting, maybe a war as well. Apartr from strengthening our defence we must also be aggressive diplomatically. Banning apps and PUBG are okay but we need to show China that we can actually block their market by creating a developed and high level industry which can give both competition and threat to China. In my opinion that is the only way we can keep the chinese in control. So let’s hope that the current border tensions are resolved as soon as possible and from then upon we can focus on our roadmap which will decide the INDO-CHINA relationship eventually. Till then HINDI-CHINI BHYE BHYE … !!!!!

JAI HIND

ARUNESH SINHA

 

References :

(1) Line of Actual Control (LAC): Where it is located, and where India and China differ https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/line-of-actual-control-where-it-is-located-and-where-india-and-china-differ-6436436/#:~:text=The%20LAC%20is%20the%20demarcation,be%20only%20around%202%2C000%20km.

(2) Why the serene Pangong lake lies at the heart of India-China border dispute in Ladakh https://theprint.in/statedraft/why-the-serene-pangong-lake-lies-at-the-heart-of-india-china-border-dispute-in-ladakh/441537/#:~:text=The%20slopes%20of%20the%20barren,made%20incursions%20till%20Finger%204.