No Quick Resolution In The Border Stand-Off With China
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.
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By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2020-06-08 13:28:19
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Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.
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It is good that the next level of talks (after local level engagements had proved inconclusive) between India and China, involving senior generals from both sides, were held in a "cordial atmosphere". When such stand-offs take place, it is futile to expect a quick resolution. As both sides would not budge from their stands and the aggressor would not want to revert to the status quo existing on a decided date (with even the date to be decided coming under dispute), it will take long hours of negotiations, both military and diplomatic, as per protocols in place. But it is clear from the intensive consultations going on at all levels that both sides do not want matters to go out of hand and would like a peaceful resolution. The need of the hour is to dig in the heels at the border and engage the Chinese in talks.
But going by past examples, China has a tried and tested strategy in place. It would intentionally enter Indian territory, claiming it to be its own, and would then put intense pressure on India to concede to several demands, mostly unrelated to the dispute at hand. In the present scenario, the Chinese might want India to reverse the ban on Chinese companies from investing in India or support China's stand in world bodies. Since China had stealthily advanced on many fronts across the LAC, it holds the advantage and will bargain from a position of strength. It has also built bunkers, pitched tents and brought in heavy weaponry to the 'captured' positions, forcing India to reinforce its positions too. But since India has publicly stated that it wants the Chinese to revert to the status quo as it existed in April, it has now got to stick to that stand. But in doing so, India cannot accede to unreasonable demands from the Chinese. It has much at stake, both domestically and internationally, and cannot be seen as bowing to Chinese pressure. This is a tricky situation that calls for patience and the use of out-of-the-box diplomatic thinking.
