Troubling India-China Border Skirmishes. Dangerous Game. Was Washington Involved in Spearheading Conflict?
A longstanding line of control dispute along the border separating China and India flared up weeks earlier.
Both countries claim sovereignty over the disputed territory. Until April, forces of both countries hadn’t used live fire for decades.
According to Indian media, the Modi government gave commanders along the line of control freedom to handle things on their own tactically.
Live fire used by forces of both countries killed and wounded unclear numbers of soldiers.
Tensions remain high, risking escalation. It’s in the interests of both countries to resolve differences diplomatically.
Both sides deployed more forces along the disputed line of control.
The Trump regime supports India, a US intelligence report claiming Chinese General Zhao Zongqi authorized an attack on Indian forces in the Galwan River valley last week — no evidence cited backing the claim.
Supporting India is part of Washington’s aim to press Modi against working with Chinese tech giant Huawei to develop its 5G infrastructure.
Beijing and Delhi are trying to resolve differences. Conflict serves the interests of neither country.
Last week, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian accused Indian forces of “cross(ing) the Line of Actual Control,” calling it a “deliberate provocation,” causing casualties, adding:
“The adventurous acts of the Indian army have seriously undermined the stability of the border areas, threatened the lives of Chinese personnel, violated the agreements reached between the two countries on the border issue, and breached the basic norms governing international relations.”
“China has lodged solemn representations and strong protests to the Indian side.”
He stressed that Beijing urged Delhi to maintain bilateral communications and pursue efforts for mutual accommodation.
In response to last week’s clash, Pompeo tweeted:
“We extend our deepest condolences to the people of India for the lives lost as a result of the recent confrontation with China.”
He’s been very vocal in expressing Trump regime hostility toward China.
A similar 1962 border dispute escalated to war between both countries, what neither Beijing or Delhi want now.
If skirmishes continue, they’re likely be limited. Both countries best serve each other’s interests as allies, not adversaries.
For the US, it’s the other way around, its hardliners wanting China marginalized and weakened, a prescription for rupturing relations.
On Monday, China’s Global Times reported that Beijing “doesn’t want to escalate conflict with India, but (it has) sufficient capacity to smash any provocations from the Indian troops,” adding:
“It’s hoped that Indian troops can remain sober and Indian elites keep rational.”
“It’s in the India’s interests to work with China to put the border disputes under control.”
In 1996 and 2005, both countries signed agreements, stressing that neither side will use military force against the other.
Did Modi change India’s position? After last week’s clash, he sounded conciliatory, saying “(n)obody has intruded into our border, neither is anybody there now, nor have our posts been captured.”
India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishanka was more hardline, accusing Beijing of responsibility for “violence and casualties,” adding:
“The Chinese side (must) reassess its actions and take corrective steps.”
In response, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi demanded that Delhi “severely punish those responsible” for last week’s violence,” adding:
Indian “frontline troops (must) immediately cease all provocative actions. (Delhi) must not underestimate China’s firm will to safeguard its territorial sovereignty.”
Modi is playing a dangerous game, allying with the US in provoking China, a reliable ally — polar opposite how Washington operates, exploiting other countries to serve its interests.
US strategy aims to co-opt other countries, Months earlier, Sergey Lavrov warned India about its intentions, saying:
Washington’s “us(e) (of) term the Indo-Pacific instead of Asia-Pacific” is all about “contain(ing) China,” what Modi and other Indian officials surely understand.
There’s nothing “benign” about US strategy. It’s “divisive,” not “inclusive.”
US interest in India is co-opting its government, using it as a “counterweight” to China, aiming to undermine its economic and technological development.
Beijing is working more closely with Pakistan strategically and economically, including by construction of pipeline, rail and road links to its Gwadar Arabian Sea port.
The China Pakistan Economic Corridor includes Beijing’s Aksai Chin region — near where clashes with Indian forces occurred.
Pretending to want differences between China and India resolved diplomatically, conflict between both countries serves US interests at their expense.
Beijing is much stronger militarily, why India’s show of force is limited.
If things escalate ahead, China will force Modi to back off.
According to Beijing-based military expert Wei Dongxu, his tough talk aims to please his base — with no intention of wanting an escalated clash with a militarily superior neighbor he’ll lose.
Asian Studies expert Lin Minwang said while it’s “normal to see heated nationalism in India, (it won’t) hijack (its) policymaking…to further provoke China.”
Tough talk may be heard, little more. India’s plate overflows with domestic problems.
Modi won’t invent a major new one by challenging China militarily, what he’ll lose, gaining nothing but lots of casualties and egg on his face.
Beijing’s military superiority “is why India hasn’t dared to launch a full attack against the PLA in decades but keeps creating low-level tensions occasionally,” Lin explained.
A Final Comment
On Tuesday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said both sides “agreed to take necessary measures to promote a cooling of the situation,” adding:
“Both sides want to deal with their disagreement, manage the situation and de-escalate the situation through dialogue and consultations.”
A statement by India’s military said talks between both sides were “positive.”
“There was mutual consensus to disengage. Modalities for disengagement from all friction areas in Eastern Ladakh were discussed and will be taken forward by both sides.”
Clearly China wants confrontation ended. It’s up to both sides to back their statements with commitment, notably the belligerent Modi regime.
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Award-winning author Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected]. He is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG)
His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.”
http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
