The recent issue of incursion in Ladakh by China has been sorted out for now. The defence minister A K Antony is not mincing any words, when it comes to showing to the Dragon that India can take care of its boundaries.
India has defended its right of building infrastructure on its land and the defence minister claims that Indian Army and Air Force is capable of dealing with any challenge. The minister on the sideline of the recent incident was interacting with reporters in Panaji. He claimed that like China, India too had the right to defend its territory and will ensure that no misadventure on part of China takes place ever.
The recent incursion incident that carried on for 21 days had created a wedge between India and China and both the countries were feeling the need to deescalate. However, the rhetoric against China is nothing new and every time the Chinese side indulges in any such activity, India merely issues a veiled threat and that too after the Chinese withdrawal.
Reports emerging from Daulat Beg Oldie sector are contrary to what the Defence minister is pointing. As per the reports it was only when India agreed to dismantle its position from Chumar area, did China withdrew from Depsang valley in the Daulat Beg Oldie sector.
External affairs minister, Salman Khurshid who has just returned after a 2day trip to China was also quick to point out that India did not strike any deal with China on the withdrawal issue and that the matter was sorted out amicably.
However, this soft posturing by India on the border conflict has always been used by China to its advantage. The Chinese side had merely issued a clarification that the activities on their side of border were simply developmental in nature and that it did not want India to be a party to the same.
When asked if India had already started dismantling its infrastructure in Chumar region, A.K. Antony avoided a direct answer. He simply pointed out that any kind of discussion on this topic was unwarranted. The implementation of the same was being done by local commanders.
Interestingly, the defence minister was quick to point out that India believed in solving challenges through diplomatic means only. According to Antony, the country goes by standard procedures in such circumstances and not much needs to be read between the lines.
The minister evaded a direct reply on why India could not prevent the Chinese from intruding in its territory. The minister maintained that status quo was his prime concern and the same has been maintained.
The Chinese issue has always embroiled Indian defence establishment in doldrums. According to some defence analysts, the reason for the same is that the Army still has a fear psychosis from what happened during the Indo China war in 1962. However, it needs to be remembered that the incidents at that point of time were a consequence of political miscalculations and the Indian Army need not be blamed for the same. We need to rise above fear and ensure that our territorial integrity is maintained, all the while.
