India China LAC standoff Update

July 31, 2020

India China LAC standoff 

Update

Padmini Arhant

UpdateAccording to Indian army officers, China has expanded occupation with troop deployment along the north east region viz. Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand near Lipulekh Pass on Manasarovar route. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hesitation to call out China by name in speeches until now is strange at best and paradoxical at worst in terms of BJP’s nationalist jingoism.

China’s continuous infiltration in Indian territory is reminiscent of 1962 scenario. At that time, Menon was fired for utter failure and lack of preparedness to defend India against aggressor China. 

India China LAC dispute escalated to new level  with China amassing troops along with boats at the contentious Pangong lake long been regarded Indian territory while disengagement claimed by both sides in political commentary. 

China’s ongoing penetration in Indian territory setting up tents and huts to accommodate large troop deployment in the Pangong Tso confirmed via satellite images contribute to anything but de-escalation of friction.

The core objective of the military commanders talks held on June 30th, 2020 and subsequent dialogue between Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on July 5th, 2020 submitted to reduce tension in eastern Ladakh. 

Beijing and PLA commanders default in honoring their commitment on de-escalation is a major credibility factor that China continues to suffer on all matter whether COViD19 pandemic or economic trade and military agreements exacerbating peace and diplomacy to nothing more than a formality. 

China’s latest unequivocal troop presence in Pangong Tso ridgeline at Finger 4 not 14 arguably obstruct withdrawal process expected  per high level military and political discussion in the past two months following unnecessary preventable loss of lives involving defense personnel on both sides that could have been averted by maintaining the respective boundary lines without encroachment. 

The political statements from India and China might be set on conciliatory tone to deter public awareness on actual situation in high altitude that is far from reality considering Beijing’s reluctance to retreat from the line of incursion. 

Chinese authorities protracted military undertakings in the Himalayas against India and multitude skirmishes in South China Sea amid COVID 19 health crises consuming lives globally with no end in sight to which Beijing is yet to acknowledge responsibility regardless of the contested origin i.e. Wuhan Institute of Virology or the wet market place in Wuhan city in China is an enormous challenge for Beijing. 

Not to mention the pandemic’s catastrophic impact on global economy including China.

Beijing leaderships together with PLA commanders recognition of the sprawling confrontation against neighbors near and far jeopardizing everything China gained in the last three decades on economic growth adding to military strength now used to threaten peace and stability in Asia and Asia Pacific reflect internal political turmoil and deflection of pandemic effects attracting global ire towards Beijing. 

Indian leaderships in New Delhi. PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval directing focus on containing the border issues demonstrating honest and credible actions in restoring India’s territorial integrity against China is the priority more than any other ideological religious debate besides controlling corona virus spikes in the country. 

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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