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(North-East Frontier Agency) was the worst as this is not the same India as earlier. Any
scenario. China managed to capture much military adventure will really push them
beyond Tawang up to Brahmaputra plains in back for many years and they will lose a lot
the Eastern Sector and in the Western Sector economically, setting them back by a long
they completely swept across Aksai Chin, time. China’s geo political policies too has
captured Chip Chap valley, Galwan Valley undergone changes as they to want use their
and Pangong Tso lake. PLA had captured financial and technical prowess rather than
areas quite deep into Indian territory on military power as long as they have parity in
both Eastern and Western Sectors. Thus, dominance in their area – Asia.
if China wanted, they could have easily I think that New Delhi knows that China
retained captured territory up to Tawang will never officially accept the LAC as the
which is equally important to the Buddhists. IB, China too knows the ground reality is
The Chinese even claimed that to be their different and that this is the defacto border.
own. Their unilateral decision to withdraw However these events like the present one
completely up to its claimed ‘Line of Actual at East Ladakh, or the one at Doklam or
Control’, in that sector has baffled many a at Nakula will continue as it serves a very
pundit. On the other hand they decided to important purpose – to keep the Indians
retain over 2000 sq km of barren Ladakh. engaged, ensure that there is always a threat
Nearly 10 years after the 1962 skirmish perception so that India reacts to it. This
Chinese Premier Zhou claimed that they they feel will always show who is in control
had withdrawn back across the McMahon and in the eyes of the immediate neighbours
Line in good faith. Thus, this was the first be the dominant country. Ofcourse this also
admission on part of the Chinese that the ensures that India’s resources are constantly
McMahon Line was recognised by them diverted which otherwise could be invested
as the de facto Line of Actual Control in overall development. That is the reason
(LAC). This LAC is about 3400 sq km and why you see such instances happening every
runs along along with Ladakh, Kashmir, year.
Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh. However this year a major shift in that
There is no known dispute on the Sikkim thinking has taken place and is linked to
border and is known as the International the abrogation of article 370 and the fact
Border. that India is now openly calling for taking
over POK – the call for Akhand Bharat.
Post-Script – On Uncertain Ground Considering the fact that India & China
By Navneet Sahni has had summit level talks in Wuhan &
Apart from the Nathu La skirmish of 1967, Chennai this latest aggravation just means
there has been no other armed conflict along that it has been sanctioned by President
the LAC though there is still disagreement Xi ‘s to say the least. BJP & RSS call for
on the exact demarcation of the McMahon reclaiming POK, Gilgit Baltistan & Aksai
line and has led to several frictions from Chin territories has rattled the Pakistanis
time to time. As far as India is concerned no end but has actually sent shivers down
what China kept after the 1962 war is what the Chinese. Till now China has not been
they wanted to begin with. It will not be easy too vocal in India’s western border issues.
at all for them to take any more territory now So what is the main reason ? Yes India has
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #12 | JUNE 2020 45
