Overbearing China casts a dark shadow

By O P Modi

Although Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh firmly brought up all issues of great concern to India, the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao does not seem to have appreciated the Indian sensitivities. As was apprehended by many China has not addressed even a single matter of importance that could boost mutual relations.

The issues that mattered most for India and required their immediate resolution were the stapled visas for people from Jammu & Kashmir, the terrorism emanating from Pakistan, presence of the Chinese in POk and so called "Northern areas" (NA), illegal occupation by the Chinese of 43,180 sq km in Ladakh, out of which Pakistan has ceded 5, 180 sq km to that country in Gilgit and Baltistan (NA).

The Chinese Premier has not given any assurance on supporting India for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) of which China is a permanent member and as such it has the Veto power. India did not bargain any one of the issues for China's support. Dr. Manmohan Singh's firmness is highly laudable.

Let us examine the implications of each one of our concerns as listed above. Instead of issuing a normal visa to the people from J&K, Beijing's issuing of stapled ones is to reiterate once again its stand on J&K. China has never recognized the state as a legally acceded part of the Republic of India. Therefore, according to Beijing it is a "disputed territory". In doing so China has challenged India's integrity and sovereignty. While the construction of roads, tunnels and dams in POK is considered by it a legally right activity they have the cheek to question J&K's lawful accession to India! The fact is that if the issue of stapled visa is not resolved it will have grave adverse impact on all other matters at stake between the two countries.

India's concern regarding terrorism emanating from Pakistan, shared by US, Russia, Japan, Germany etc. was not taken note of by Wen Jiabao for the simple reason that for decades Pakistan has been China's ally. Beijing is not worried about the terrorism arising from Pakistan that threatens the whole world because it has bigger plans in using that country for its expansionist designs. One of which is to corner India. As it has refrained from condemning terrorism being promoted from Pakistan, it is reasonable to say that terrorism that has become a menace for the whole world is indirectly condoned by China.

It is interesting to note that some years back Beijing had ruthlessly crushed the Uighur Muslim's revolt in its Sinkiang province who had been demanding independence from China. A number of Uighur Muslims were executed on flimsy charges of criminal activities. Sinkiang is predominated by Uighur Muslims. In fact at that time Beijing had warned Pakistan for its support to the Uighur separatist.

The presence of Chinese in POK is equated by Beijing with the presence of India in Arunachal Pradesh. China has claimed that India illegally occupies nearly 90,000 sq. km of Chinese territory that includes Arunachal Pradesh. From time to time China has claimed that Arunachal Pradesh belongs to them. Beijing had strongly argued that India had done an unfriendly act by allowing Dalai Lama to visit the state.

Above all the greatest threat to India is from Beijing's plan to divert the Brahmaputra water to the parched lands on its side. Media reports indicate that China is already at an advanced stage of constructing dams and tunnels for depriving India of the life sustaining Brahmaputra. China is also reported to have completed the construction of 33,310 meter long tunnel that is a part of the plan to build the main road connecting a remote Tibetan town close to the border with India.

A few days back Chief Minister of Uttranchal Ramesh Pokhriyal said that the Chinese activities had increased in Nepal, Tibet and Pakistan. "We apprehend that there will be increase in anti-India activities on the Indo-Nepal border via Nepal, which will pose a danger to our country in the near future. There is also apprehension of increase in ISI activities in Nepal via the Pakistan route,". He said that Beijing is settling Chinese in Nepal and that massive construction of road infrastructure in Tibet is also going on. "One point I raised with the prime minister was that there is no major ban on movement of people and goods from Nepal. Over 25,000 to 30,000 people travel daily via three routes into the country from Nepal" Pokhriyal said.. The chief minister of the hill state said China has also created massive road networks close to the Sino-Indian border up to the top of the Himalayas in Tibet.

What China is really aiming at? Firstly it wants to negotiate the border dispute as also other issues with India from a position of strength. In this respect it has steadily but undoubtedly gained it to some extent. It has constructed roads from different directions that end near the Indian border. It has also involved Pakistan in unprecedented activities against our country. Although it seems harmless yet no body knows what the Chinese are up to in POK. Beijing has increased its influence in Nepal and Sri Lanka as well as in Myanmar. Secondly, as a commercial competitor it wants to create an atmosphere of insecurity for India that could adversely affect our economic growth.

At present it is difficult to anticipate what else the Chinese leaders desire to achieve by encircling India. However it can safely be said that by acquiring the present status in the Indian sub-continent China is posing a serious threat to us. New Delhi needs to take urgent steps to balance its status with China in Defence preparedness. India will also have to strengthen its ties with South Asian countries so as to nullify China's newly acquired clout in some of the Asian countries.

source:dailyexcelsior