India and China Clash and Casualties in the Himalayas

Padmini Arhant

As reported earlier on the main site https://www.padminiarhant.com/15225-2/ 

Article:  India and China – Alter Ego Authoritarians on June 5th, 2020

“The warfare in the Himalayan region that has consumed 32 Indian soldiers’ lives and casualties on Chinese side as well that are not officially reported in line with lack of transparency on all issues especially deaths among defense forces is least surprising.”

Now the official claim on both sides i.e. India and China on casualties suffered in the Himalayas approximately 14,000 feet above sea level on the India’s Ladakh region is better late than never in terms of public notice.

I begin with my sincere condolences to families and the loved ones’ of brave souls who laid their lives in the politically motivated unnecessary aggression in sheer violation of mutual agreement and understanding along Line of Actual Control i.e. LAC in the nearly 4,000 km (2,500 miles) border stretching across Indian territories and states inarguably dealing with consistent intrusion from China.

The public information details the entire Sino–Indian border (including the western LAC, the small undisputed section in the centre, and the McMahon Line in the east) is 4,056 km (2,520 mi) long and traverses one Indian union territory, Ladakh, and four Indian states: Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Beijing’s confrontational military policy not only against India but also with other neighbors in South, South East Asia and Indo-Pacific region is contentious and pose imminent threat to regional safety and security. Notwithstanding the fact, Beijing cannot afford to mitigate economic ramifications especially in the present global environment with nations worldwide battling pandemic – the highly infectious deadly corona virus originating from Wuhan, China.

Beijing’s internal turmoil within communist party politburo, economic downturn and second wave corona virus hitting across China beginning with the capital Beijing are extraordinary challenges demanding communist leaderships specifically President Xi Jinping’s immediate attention and decisive actions to stabilize situation in China. 

Instead, Beijing’s flawed motion mobilizing troops and military assets installation along Indian border and inside Indian territory triggering the unfortunate tragedies on both sides reflect Beijing leaderships’ weakness and inability to deal with problems within own country. The misguided strategy to deflect public concerns from domestic woes to foreign territorial disputes proved a failure time and time again for all those relying on such principle. 

Beijing authorities and PLA top brass including advisers as well as analysts recognition of India and other nations’ sovereignty and territorial integrity regardless of economic and military status is imperative for China’s sustainability.

China has special privileges with most nations in the global economy contributing to China’s meteoric rise in economic growth and development transformed into military strength targeted against nations behind China’s prosperity. The move is analogous to shooting itself on the foot hurting China in the economic premise.

Beijing’s persistence in border and territorial infiltration against India and other nations in South China sea is counterproductive potentially sabotaging trade relations and economic opportunities with neighbors near and far. In the COVID19 climate emerging from Wuhan, China with Beijing not acknowledged any responsibility or allowed access to international investigation and inquiry critical to establish virus containment now and in the future. These activities only compound Beijing’s defiance and evasiveness on all matter.

On the Indian government part, PM Narendra Modi’s overarching appeasement economic policy towards China until now i.e. on June 13th, 2020 – three days earlier granting Chinese company the bid worth 1700 crores (17 billions) against Indian contenders for business in India amid China inflicted fatalities on LAC in the Himalayas costing Indian defense force lives is politics prioritizing external treaty over national security. Unfortunately, PM Narendra Modi’s legacy comprise the trend extending economic favors to China in particular buttressing the latter’s assertion against India intensified in the recent Himalayan incursion.

Beijing, the major supplier of raw materials and ingredients in pharmaceuticals to agriculture and electronics unable to resist and lose Indian market has more to gain in abandoning hostility against India in all directions and surrounding areas that are legitimately Indian sovereign territories with indisputable demarcation and defined goal posts not excluding 38,000 sq km Aksai Chin seized earlier that are no longer subject to contestation. 

India on the other hand diverting focus on the much touted Make in India slogan delivered in reality is not a choice but a necessity promoting local productivity and employment in all sectors crucial for survival and long term aspirations. The abundant resources and human capital at disposal fraudulently squandered due to corruption, abuse of power from top to bottom and convoluted globalization doctrine entirely benefiting globalists and core members behind the exclusive rights to profits depriving overwhelming work force and consumers in all economies – the emerging and developing economies paying the dear price in the embattled global economy driven against the traditional protectionist culture previously providing self-sufficiency in feeding population to domestic economic empowerment is the clarion call at the moment and moving forward.

The global economy and trade agreements merit review and revisions facilitating balance and fairness unlike the long held so-called free trade accords leading to economic free fall of nations heavily compromised in debt ridden scenarios leaving the economies with financial means and reserves benefitting in the overall dealings.

In conclusion, China scaling down military operations against India in all frontiers and other nations in South China Sea and elsewhere while adopting reliable trustworthy engagement in economic, military and diplomatic ties is the hour of need to experience any relief from burgeoning crises in China and world over. China’s inter-dependency on the rest of the world with global retailers consisting significant proportion in India as end buyers hold key to bilateral cooperation in economic and regional security.

I pay tribute to fallen heroes and salute their admirable patriotic defense of the country. Further, I offer my prayers and hold the veterans’ families and dependents in my thoughts in the most difficult journey of their life.

God Bless!

May the valiant souls rest in peace!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter 

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