For far too long we have stood by and accepted China’s quiet terrorism by proxy. Having been beaten at Doklam and alarmed by the rapid pace of roads been created all along the LAC, the Chinese have been quietly trying to push the boundaries over the last two months. That quietness is all but shattered after last night’s events when so far up to 20 Jawans were martyred in the Galwan valley.
Having reached an acceptance of withdrawing from the LAC by regional commanders, the Chinese betrayed our trust yet again after a gap of five decades by launching a preemptive attack in the Galwan Valley. Having realized such rapid construction and connectivity between Darbuk and Daulat Beg Oldie, the Chinese were imminently worried about the strategic nature of their own Belt Road initiative which can rapidly be shut down from the Galwan heights.
In the ensuing ambush, over 20 Jawans lost their lives with yet double the number of Chinese being laid to waste in this valley. The Chinese would’ve never expected such a ferocious response in yet another attempt by the Chinese to forcefully and unilaterally enlarge their borders.
Fortunately, this has elicited response from all quarters of India except the opposition parties which yet again have showed that even in a time of war crisis they still tight fully clutch their own pockets. With innumerable photos of Rahul Gandhi often meeting diplomatic heads from China behind closed borders, it is no wonder that his first reaction was to attack the Prime Minister of India rather than the communist Chinese party.
However, if history is to go by, it is no doubt that a strong response to Galwan is in the offing. Having been beaten at Doklam and now Galwan, further attempts to strengthen our position at the LAC should be done on a war footing. They are however several advantages that India can make to make China’s life internationally more uncomfortable. This is especially true when there is such negative publicity about China releasing this pandemic on the world.
Review military and diplomatic ties with China’s nemesis neighbors.
This would mean consideration of export of Brahmhos missiles to Vietnam as well as Taiwan. This would severely impact safety of Chinese travel all along the South China seas. Vietnam as well has long been looking at Tejas fighters for its Air Force and also Shivalik frigates for its navy. Re-engagement military between India and Japan as well as a review of pacts and use of each other’s naval establishments should be a priority.
Harrying of trade along the Belt Road
If the belt Road really is visible from the heights of India and Galwan, then it would well be within India’s engagement to shift military equipment to the top of the sites and use them for interdiction of trade along the Belt Road. China’s long-held ambition of increased trade between multiple neighbors would come to a grinding halt.
Re-engagement with the world on Tibet
It is high time that India review its policy with regard to one China. Chinese occupied Tibet has long been an affront to Indian sensibilities. A few choice words from the Dalai Lama as well as increasing of exposure of Tibetans living in India and yearning for their homeland is sure to irritate the Chinese. The Tibetans have been treated with utmost respect in India almost creating a mini Tibet. With some of his greatest leaders existing in exile, it is time to create and engage meaningful discussions with the Tibetan leadership in exile again.
Nepal’s political establishment must be clearly told in no uncertain terms that anything that would negatively impact India’s security would lead to a difficult proposition for Nepal’s China backed elite. Hindus they may be, however like most political parties in India corruption runs rife throughout the upper echelons of Nepali power. It is high time that India created a grassroots movement in Nepal with support for India.
Regular IAF patrols all across the LAC.
Intelligence gathering as well as peering deep into Tibet via its AWACS should be a priority for the IAF. Back in 1962, the IAF’s hands were tied by the political establishment of the time. The IAF can carry 2 to 3 times the payload on its aircraft in view of starting off from the plains of India all across the Himalayas. Fortunately, the Chinese can only muster meager payloads from their aircraft in view of the air density of airbases in Tibet. Let’s not tie the hands of the IAF this time.
Indo US military exercises both militarily as well as diplomatically.
Increased Indo US military exchanges will no doubt irritate the Chinese no end. Aiming to be the next superpower, it would frustrate them further to see such high-level exchanges between India and the US. It would also mean better interoperability between equipment as well as commanders as well. India should join the US tirade of China propagating and unleashing this pandemic upon the world. Hopefully in the future it would lead to a decrease of exports from China and an increase in manufacturing base in India as well. It is high time that US companies consider India as a manufacturing base apart from China.
After five decades, the Chinese Dragon may have awakened a very angry and ferocious elephant. While overt war between both countries is something that both countries will avoid, India has a list of diplomatic as well as military offensives at its fingertips. While Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh and the chief of defense staff formulate a response to the severe Chinese provocation, we all can contribute in our actions to minimize any purchase of Chinese products and further the Tibet cause.
More than that, we can all have more sense than our opposition political leaders in supporting the government than seeking to cause further confusion during a war like situation.