China’s Disputes with India and Others

China’s Disputes with India and Others

KAKALI DAS

China’s Disputes with India and Others:

Do you remember what happened on 15 June 2020? To the unversed, on that very day, Indian troops were martyred in the Galwan Valley Ladakh clash with People’s Liberation Army (PLA) or Chinese Army.

It broke many hearts and government was put to question by outraging people. Initially, no loss of life was reported from China. Later, China said that 4 PLA soldiers died during that skirmish, but the entire truth was left unveiled.

Nearly two years later, now, Australian newspaper The Klaxon claims that nearly 40 PLA soldiers drowned while crossing the river on 15th June 2020. This they claim after a year-long discussion with the mainland Chinese bloggers, gathering information from mainland-based Chinese citizens, and investigating the deleted media reports.

However, what’s significant is that both sides suffered during the clash. So, it is unfortunate that China is honouring PLA Galwan commander as Olympic torchbearer. And, due to that, India’s top diplomats skipped or boycotted the Winter Olympics ceremony of China, 2022.

Why does China involve themselves in the frequent skirmishes on the border? What is the root cause of this conflict? Is China’s hostile moves limited to India only? Who will confront aggressive China, while we say Chinese did not enter India then why the skirmish?

Line of actual contest

There’s a saying, “Good fences make for good neighbours”. Meaning, there is less chance of conflict when boundaries are established. And, when boundaries are not clearly demarcated, then conflict arises.

The India-China border is called the Line of Actual Control (LAC), but the line is actually not well defined. This line has neither been delineated nor demarcated. But it gives a rough idea of a boundary.

There was also a no man’s land in between. It can be understood that until the border dispute is amicably resolved between the two countries we maintain this arrangement. But, when will it resolve is the question now.

Apart from everything else, China’s contention is mainly for two areas – Aksai Chin (Uighur Autonomous Region or Tibet Autonomous Region as per China), and the region south of Macmohan Line (part of Arunachal Pradesh).

This was drawn in 1914 after Shimla Convention between British India and Tibet.

China says that there was no independent Tibet at the time, so they don’t regard the convention as legitimate. Chinese are always in denial of facts or history anyway.

The Modi Years & China

Border disputes between China and India are going on since 1947. There was a battle between India and China in 1962. In 2014, Indians saw a ray of hope as this Narendra Modi government formed. Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met 18 times and reports of their friendship circulated by the media. Then, in 2020, the Galwan Valley incident took place which impacted their friendship severely.

Our soldiers bravely stood in front of Chinese soldiers and we’re indeed proud of them. However, due to whatever reasons, PM Modi surprisingly remained silent after the clash. He did not even name China during his consequent address to the country.

Our PM would never be quiet if it were Pakistan, would he? Just recently, Hyundai posted on Kashmir Solidarity Day and India summoned the Korean envoy immediately. Yet, China was not named after the clash!

The situation escalated when after the Galwan incident our PM said, “Nobody entered our territory. Our post is secure.”

So, if there was no intrusion then what had led to the Ladakh clash? Was it India which entered their territory then? That’s at least what China claims. Opposition asked, why did Modi give clean chit to China?

Ultimately, PMO had to issue a clarification, “PM didn’t watch his words”. The official video of Modi was censored, and the part where he claimed that nobody entered our territory was removed from the video.

Unfortunately, Chinese attitude has not changed. In Nov 2021, China built a village in Arunachal Pradesh, said Pentagon. Satellite images showed a second village along Arunachal border. China says that the village is in the north of the line. But China is known for creating establishments in disputed areas.

This is called Salami-slicing tactic or creeping acquisition to alter status quo. Recently, government told the Parliament that China is building a bridge on Pangong Lake in area under illegal occupation. This is how China is increasing its grasp over disputed lands, occupied lands, or no man’s lands.

Moreover, in Dec 2021, China renamed 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh. They are trying to challenge the core competency of our government it seems! It’s our government which likes changing names such as, Allahabad to Prayagraj, Mughalsarai’s railway division to Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya railway division, don’t they? (pun intended)

China’s Land Disputes

Apart from India, China’s land disputes are with countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar and Tibet. Tibet is a widely known story. China had been claiming Tibet as its own territory. In 1950, China occupied Tibet. One of the major reasons behind China taking offense was because India welcomed the Dalai Lama and Tibet’s government in exile to the country. And, now they are residing in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.

In 2020, China occupied a village land in Nepal by removing the boundary pillar, and nothing but silence from the K. P. Oli government followed.   

But, here, even after the long lived friendship between Myanmar and China, in Dec 2020, China built a 2000 km high-tech fence in their boundary citing the excuse of corona. Benefits amidst pandemic, isn’t it? Now, Myanmar says that the fence breaches border agreement in 1962.

And, Laos has in fact cut its own throat by falling into Chinese debt trap. Half of their public debt is from China. In fact, not only Laos, China is also burdening countries in Africa with Debt.

China’s Maritime Disputes

China also has sea disputes with many nations. Like tension with Indonesia in Natuna islands and South China sea. China protested military exercises, and Chinese fishing vessels cause spat with Indonesia. China also claims Paracel island, Spratly islands near Vietnam; Vietnam says Chinese activities are illegal there. Spratly islands region is disputed archipelago between many countries. Dispute is between Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, China and Vietnam. It’s like the Pirates of the Caribbean – Xi Jinping being Jack Sparrow, eh?

Who will challenge China?

If we analyse countries in skirmish with China, militarily and economically, India is on top and has capabilities to face China. And to achieve that, definitive steps have to be adopted. Banning Chinese apps can only please the likes of godi media. No doubt there were initial outrages by the people for the “Made in China” products, but then all these were forgotten, and economically returned to being normal with China as last year India’s imports from China soared to almost $100 billion.

The first move from India should be to – restore the status quo in Galwan Valley. This can happen by talks between the two countries. But even after 14 military talks no positive result yet. As far as international pressure is concerned, America is with India, says US senators. Recently, some European countries stood against Chinese aggression. We can receive backing of international community.

Economically, it isn’t viable for India to stop trade with China all of a sudden. But we can try to be self-reliant, decrease dependence in China and import from other countries. But for this, we must admit the shortcomings and failures of “Make in India”. Now, Bangladesh is ahead of us in per capita income. So, it is necessary to focus on economy and defence for the next many years.

Solutions are right in front of us. But are we willing to focus on the solutions? We are troubled by fighting within ourselves. Children involved in skirmishes influenced by religion. At the same time, the youth is jobless. So, China might take advantage of this situation. This is the real danger to us, and who is taking about it in the media? Rarely anybody!

Images from different sources

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