By Kartik Lokhande
The
latest so-called ‘dissatisfaction’ and ‘staunch opposition’ expressed
by China against the visit of Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi to Indian
state of Arunachal Pradesh on its 23rd foundation day, is totally
uncalled for. In fact, it is yet another time that the expansionist
China has tried to flex its diplomatic muscle on Arunachal Pradesh.
The
reason behind China’s frustration is clear -- Indian Prime Minister’s
visit to Arunachal Pradesh on its foundation day indicates that India is
reconsolidating its position on countering the Chinese influence.
Arunachal Pradesh came into being as a state on February 20, 1987. The
then Prime Minister Mr Rajiv Gandhi had presided over the statehood
event that time. Since then, Mr Modi is the only Prime Minister to have
attended the statehood anniversary celebrations of Arunachal Pradesh. In
the intervening years, no Prime Minister had shown enough diplomatic
and strategic courage to do so for want of an overall preparedness to
counter the Chinese influence.
Despite the cultural, social, and
national connect of Arunachal Pradesh to India, China has been calling
it a ‘disputed territory’. At times, China even referred to Arunachal
Pradesh as ‘part of Chinese Tibet’. Often, China has referred to
Arunachal Pradesh as ‘so-called state’. In the recent context, the
reason is pretty clear. Of late, India has been asserting herself in
many areas including the global economic presence and global power
structure. Mr Modi’s whirlwind tour to strengthen diplomatic as well as
military and strategic ties with various countries, with a specific
focus on countering the Chinese expansionism at a subtle level, and
adding verve to India-US ties also are the reasons behind China’s
so-called ‘dissatisfaction’.
Of course, one cannot forget the
territorial ambitions of China. Her expansionist agenda is amply clear
from her frequent stand-offs with countries like Japan, Vietnam,
Phillippines, Taiwan. Besides, she has never hidden its desire to go for
Mongolia and some part of Russia. Of course, she also has mounted
pressure on countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Burma, Laos etc. She has been
claiming the territories in these and other neighbouring countries
citing historical precedent of areas under Yuan dynasty, or rubbishing
the demarcation of boundaries effected by the British as in the case of
India.
Among all these neighbouring countries, China saw a
competitor in India as far as economic, military, and diplomatic might
was concerned. She was searching for an opportunity to let know of its
expansionist design, and she got it when India offered shelter to the
Dalai Lama who was forced to leave Tibet in the wake of Chinese
aggression. What followed was systematically built-up Chinese aggression
along Indian borders, tweaking of historic maps, and the war in 1962.
Since
then, China has been successful in keeping the pressure on, on the
Indian side. Amid the sweet talk of ‘furthering friendly ties’, China
purposely needled India through her troops entering Indian territory. On
a few occasions, when India showed the courage to raise alarm over
incursions by Chinese troops, China was quick enough to dub those as
‘stray’ incidents that were a result of ‘lack of clarity’ on boundaries
between two nations. On most occasions, unfortunately, India has been
timid in response to China’s purposeful adventures. Till a year ago,
even the top ministers used to play down the incidents like the Chinese
troops starting constructions on Indian territory claiming it to be
theirs.
However, thanks to the systematic and well-thought-out
measures taken by the new Government at the Centre, India’s response to
China has changed. The change is palpable and visible too.
Mr Modi,
while announcing an ambitious plan to build road network in border
areas, extended a hand of friendship to China through a promise of
strengthening economic ties. While invoking cultural bond between India
and China, Mr Modi ensured that infrastructure development and
connectivity projects in areas along China border got expedited. While
getting closer to China, Mr Modi ensured that India also renewed its
collaboration with the US to effectively achieve a counter-balancing
act. Before heading for China later this year, Mr Modi made it a point
to attend the foundation anniversary function of Arunachal Pradesh.
And,
this explains why China is so ruffled with India. However, India need
not pay heed to the Chinese tricks. If China calls Arunachal Pradesh a
‘disputed’ territory and objects strongly to Prime Minister’s visit
there; India can very well remind her that some time ago Chinese General
Xu Qiliang, one of the Vice-Chairmen of Central Military Commission
headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, also had paid an ‘inspection
visit’ to disputes sites near Karakoram Pass, Pangong Tso lake, and in
Aksai Chin region that China occupies illegally.
The only objective
of China trying to flex its muscle over and again is to put pressure on
India to stop any infrastructure development along the border. In sharp
contrast, thanks to India’s timidness in past several years, China has
created good network of road-rail-air connectivity, and other
infrastructure to its border posts.
Against this backdrop, India
need not worry about China’s so-called ‘dissatisfaction’ and ‘staunch
opposition’ to Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi’s visit. Instead, India
needs to channelise her energies, political will, diplomatic strength,
and money to completing the infrastructure development projects in areas
bordering China in a time-bound manner. She needs to concentrate on
furthering cordial relations with countries that can help counter
China’s influence.
Of course, this will not be a smooth road.
(Filed on February 22, 2015)
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