- The India-China face-off along the line of actual control (LAC) in the eastern Ladakh region is well beyond two years now. Yes, the countries have not reneged from their stated objectives of safeguarding their respective sides. We all know how several rounds of military and diplomatic level talks have yielded little results on the ground. The harsh inhospitable terrains of the region during the winter months will prove to be extremely demanding to the troops positioned on both sides of the LAC. Pragmatically, the Indian establishment has been steadfast in refusing to toe anything but a hardline posture right through these turbulent months. Beijing would have assumed things would revert to normalcy sooner than later but the Indian stand hasn’t changed.
PC: Manish Shukla
- Of course, it should continue in the foreseeable future as well. Against this backdrop, the defence minister publicly talking about the importance of armed forces maintaining operational readiness across LAC during the severe Himalayan winter is most welcome. This also signifies a big change in security dynamics. Earlier, the onset of winter used to be a challenging time for the army only along LoC, as cross-border terrorists would step up infiltration bids before the mountain passes closed. The altered scenario along the LAC ensures the armed forces now encounter a real two-front challenge. This also needs to be read with the Chinese premier’s recent instructions to PLA to be ready to fight and win wars.
- It shows that Beijing will not shy away from using its military to achieve its political-strategic objectives. Given the massive changes Xi has brought to the Chinese party-state system by centralizing power, securing an unconventional third term for himself, and changing the trajectory of governance of China, internal pressures like people’s unhappiness over Covid lockdowns are bound to build up within Chinese society. As is its wont, Xi is bound to use PLA to clamp down and deflect attention from these crippling issues. Moreover, it is also possible that since Xi has now reiterated his authority over the party-state system, Beijing will make overtures to New Delhi. The Indian leadership should not relent from their stated position come what may.
PC: Joe Mcdonald
- There cannot be business as usual approach unless Beijing drops its aggressive posture and restores the status quo ante at LAC. We have seen it before. Around the time of every PLA incursion over the last decade, Beijing has sought to compartmentalize the border issue and blame bilateral tensions on the lack of sufficient understanding between the two sides. This is the old hot and cold tactic. After Doklam we had the Wuhan informal summit between Modi and Xi. After the Mammalapuram informal summit, we had Galwan. Further, we should enhance coordination with partners such as fellow Quad members. Mind you, China is India’s biggest strategic-security challenge. India has no option but to keep its guard up all the time.
