- The universe is witness to how brazenly China is extending its footprints in pursuant of its aggressive, ill-advised, and utterly despicable misadventures of expansion plans laying claims over sovereign international boundaries. Overtly ambitious measures initiated by the Chinese establishment over the last few years have not only alienated the Dragon Nation internationally but also lends credence to the growing alliances of like-minded countries to come together to send across an unambiguous message that such misadventures will not go unopposed. China has succeeded in defying the well-established world order in undertaking those imperialist initiatives despite facing severe criticism from all quarters.
PC: Sarina Theys
- It only goes to show how China’s blatant disregard for international harmony is driving the disgraceful moves. We all know Indian Government to is countering the continued cross-border violations along the eastern Ladakh region of the line of actual control for the last several months. That few of our brave military personnel were martyred in keeping the Chinese army at bay is well documented too. The military build-up along the eastern border to thwart any further misadventures from the Dragon Nation symbolizes our preparedness to guard sovereignty in no uncertain terms. Of late, India has purposefully shed its most often adopted soft-glove approach.
- It is characterized by precipitative action like the recently announced diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Thus, joining other leading democracies in the bargain. Of course, China made the decision easy by making a PLA regiment commander involved in the 2020 Galwan clash a torchbearer in the Olympic relay. In doing so, China not only politicized the apolitical games of immense repute but also exposed its duplicity when it used to level similar charges against other nations. Note that before India, several countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Estonia, Lithuania, Belgium, Kosovo, and Denmark had announced diplomatic boycotts of the Games citing China’s human rights violence.
PC: Swarajya Staff
- Put together, these countries constitute a sizeable 35% of the global GDP. Add to this, countries with well-performing economies like Japan and those in the Asean grouping who have also seen their relations with China become turbulent in recent years. Thus, the larger message for China is that its political and security misadventures may not be costless economically. Knowing how China functions, it may try to draw comfort from or bloat about the Olympic attendance of some prime ministers, heads of states, and royalty. However, note that many of these dignitaries represent authoritarian countries.
- Most pertinently, the difference between global admiration for China during the 2008 Summer Olympics and the cold shoulder from key countries in these Winter Games should convey to Beijing where it’s going wrong. Shedding its ambiguity, New Delhi has aligned with other major democracies on this issue, the US welcomed the decision, which also shows the future course being charted. The Quad has provided us with a template to take a bully like China, and bullies understand strength alone. India thinktank has played its moves more prudently, pragmatically, and geostrategically so far. Such an approach should be the guiding light in our future course of action too.
