Daily Times

The Indian prime minister and the Chinese president have generated an unusual predicament over the ‘imminent threat’ that has been caused due to fresh aggression at Line of Actual Control’s (LAC’s) Galwan Valley in Ladakh region. While both sides have lost their soldiers, both premiers are in denial mode. The Indian Prime Minister claimed that neither has anyone intruded into Indian Territory nor has anyone captured any military post.

This is almost after 58 years that India and China have come on loggerheads, but keeping it a low profile and confused. While China admitted that it has suffered some casualties, but failed to share the numbers it suffered. Similarly, India has not been short of words or explanations. Both the Indian Army and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have maintained that there were “no troops missing in action” of the June 15 conflict at the LAC in the Galwan area of Ladakh. These crafty words hid the truth that even as these statements were being made, there were 10 men, including officers, in custody of the Chinese PLA.

Though, the matter of fact remains that the defeat of 1962 must be haunting Indian side in 2020, when on 15th June, India lost its 20 brave soldiers and 80 injured, some of them seriously, while 10 other soldiers were reportedly captured by the members of Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA). Even the Indian media did not report the incarceration of 10 Indian troops. The captured soldiers were let off after three days of persistence diplomatic efforts and army’s command General level meetings for disengagements over Galwan Valley intrusions by Chinese forces crossing over the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Although, the Government is in denial mode about the entry of the People Liberation Army into the Galwan Valley and has also raised some structures there and stationed its forces. What had happened in the Galwan Valley would be known in due course of time but one thing is certain that Chinese troops (People’s Liberation Army) would continue to stay in a large portion of Galwan Valley to which China has put its claim, following endorsement from Indian Prime Minister, claiming that no intrusion on Indian Territory has been made.

The Indian Prime Minister Narendera Modi has said that “neither is anyone inside the Indian Territory nor any of our border posts captured.’ The Chinese newspapers have welcomed Modi’s statement over the Galwan Valley. BJP’s Member parliament and expert on Chinese affairs has stated in an interview that Chinese should be removed by force from the Galwan Valley. Even the satellite images published by many Indian and international newspapers showed the Chinese presence in Galwan Valley and construction of enough structures there for permanent stationing of troops and also creation of observation facilities. The Chinese inside Indian claimed territory of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Chinese came well prepared and had a post People’s Liberation army in a big way close to the Galwan Valley.

Galwan, Hot Spring and Fingers 5 and 8, close to Pangong Tso Lake are strategically important areas for India but China has already made its presence and also has unprecedented build-up of its troops in the area since April 2020. Now, India and China are in disengagement and de-escalation mood and holding meetings near the LAC between the army Generals of both sides. The diplomatic initiatives in this regard are also in progress. Even Chinese Generals have at the army meeting said that the 15 June incident was an unfortunate incident.

There is an increase in rising sentiments against China in India following killings of 20 Indian troops in Galwan Valley stand-off

There is an increase in rising sentiments against China in India following killings of 20 Indian troops in Galwan Valley stand-off. These killings have reignited the debate over 1962 Sino-India war and dubbing China as an unreliable nation. Even demands for boycotting the made in China goods have received tremendous support from a section of masses and all corners of the country. However, economic experts feel that it is not possible to boycott made in china goods as India has not developed its industrial base for substituting the Chinese products. The china made articles have taken deep roots in Indian households. Even as small items as scrubbers used in Indian kitchens for dish washing are made in china. The effigies of Chinese President Xi Jinping were burnt in several parts of the country building anti-China sentiments.

India-china relations that PM Modi initiated to build with the President Xi Jinping by visiting China on a special invitation from Xi and later inviting Xi to India after a short gap, his step matching and dancing with walk with the Chinese’s leadership has gone wary with intrusion in large parts of Galwan Valley and also building infrastructures for permanent stationing of the People’s liberation army (PLA) at an altitude of 14,000 ft. means business. The Chinese it appears would not return to their previous positions at the Line of Actual control (LAC) Galwan valley.

Although voices are being raised for seeking revenge for killing 20 Indian troops as demanded by Harvard educated BJP member parliament member Subramanyam Swamy who is also expert on Sino-China affairs. Similar views were expressed by Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amrinder Singh, who did not appear to have found much weight with the war mongering lobby. However, there is hardly any possibility of war with China in the near future. Instead blame games are at its peak, the BJP national president Mr J.P. Nadda while attacking Manmohan Singh charged congress with having lost 47,000 kilometers of land to China during its long regime and misadventure of Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1962 for going on war with China resulting into humiliating defeat.

Consequent leads to India-China relations would remain pale as the trust deficit has touched its new heights. India, which is already in the US-Israel alliance would further tilt towards the US. The further Chinese investment in India would be curtailed as China is already out of G5 infrastructure development. Maybe Taiwan electronics companies are encouraged in this area. Coming to already settled China investment projects will be cancelled. Maybe in the near future some duties are imposed on some of the Chinese products. India is expected to initiate these measures to pacify the Indian public rising anti-China sentiment.

The writer is a senior journalist and Indo-Pak peace activist