Wednesday, 14 April 2021

Quad Summit and India-China border talks

Col R Hariharan | Current Affairs | World Focus | April 13, 2021

http://www.worldfocus.in/page/current-affairs/

 

The 11th Corps Commander-level meeting between India and China was held on the Indian side of the Chushul-Moldo border point in Ladakh on April 9, 2021.  Unlike the 19th round of meeting held in February, no joint statement was issued at the end of the meeting. The statements issued separately by the two countries at the end of the meeting, indicated no progress was made at the talks.

 

 India’s defence ministry statement said “The two sides had a detailed exchange of views for the resolution of the remaining issues related to disengagement along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh” The two sides agreed that it was important to take guidance from the consensus of their leaders, continue their communication and dialogue and work towards a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest”.

 

Even before the talks started, China appeared to have made up its mind to adopt a hard line. This was evident from the answer of the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on April 8, to a question from the Indian media on the delayed talks. He said “I’d like to stress that the ins and outs of the China-India border issue are very clear. The responsibility does not rest with China. It is hoped that India will meet with China half way, earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and take concrete actions to further ease the border situation. ”

The terse statement of the spokesman of the Western Theatre of the Peoples Liberation Army, Col Long Shaohua issued after the talks, used the same key words. It said, “The two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual concern and will continue to maintain communication through military and diplomatic channels.” It further hoped that the Indian side will cherish the current positive trend of relaxation and cooling in the Sino-Indian border area, abide by the relevant agreements and the consensus of the previous talks and “meet the Chinese side halfway to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border area.”  

 

 China appears to have hardened its stand. Is it to show China’s unhappiness at India taking an active role in Quad summit and in achieving greater coordination between the security forces of member countries. India’s deeper involvement with the Quad, despite  China’s reservations and the government of India’s refusal to look into rollback of many decisions affecting Chinese businesses in India, like ban on Chinese Apps.

 

In this context, a news item in the South China Morning Post on developments in Tibet, is interesting. Fifteen border regulations to maintain security and stability of the border area have been introduced in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) to prevent infiltration activities. The news report quoted an anonymous insider to say that “according to Chinese officials more than 10,000 exiled Tibetans were being trained as special operations troops in India.” Apparently, this was a reference to the ITBP special forces, in Ladakh. The ITBP had been there for decades.  Their employment in Ladakh has given the Chinese  jitters?

[Col R Hariharan is a retired MI specialist on South Asia and Terrorism & Insurgency. E-mail: haridirect@gmail.com Web: https://col.hariharan.info ]

 

 

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