Though the opposition as well as UPA coalition partner Samajwadi Party was not satisfied with the statement of the Defence Minister in both houses of the Parliament on Sino-Indian border situation, yet, by all standards, his speech has to be accepted as major deviation from the beaten track, Nothing of bonhomie or diplomatic affability that have been the hallmark of India’s narrative of Sino-Indian relationship, are discernable in Antony’s statement. The candor in his speech is rather unprecedented when, among other things, he made two main confessions. First is that China had made significant advancement in developing viable infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control. The second is that India had now awoken to the realities of infrastructure after many years of neglect. He has called a spade a spade, and deserves to be praised for opening the ground reality for a fair and fruitful debate in the Parliament.
We fully endorse the view of the Defence Minister that China’s illegal occupation of part of Aksaichin and five thousand sq km of territory in Shaksgam illegally ceded to her by Pakistan are historical legacies. Ever since those days of idealism and inactivity, Governments have come and gone and the legacy continues to flow from decade to decade. The main source of India-China border dispute is first the McMahon Line drawn by the British rulers of India which Beijing now refuses to recognize unilaterally. And the second source is in China’s unmitigated avarice for territorial expansion. What Antony said can also be interpreted that in the follow up action to our defeat in 1962 war at the hands of China, our country did not learn the lesson that we needed to develop adequate infrastructure along our border that would deter China coveting territorial expansion. China took the time by forelock and devoted energy and resources in building advanced infrastructure along the LAC in Ladakh and the eastern region. Naturally, now she is far ahead of India in this sector of border strategy.
Because China is not prepared to show respect to the McMahon Line and because she is prompted by urge for territorial expansion, Chinese troops have been often crossing the line and entering into our side. So have the Indian troops been entering the Chinese side and then returning to their original places. This see-saw game has been going on along the LAC with China. As a temporary measure the two sides have agreed that field commanders would get into touch in such eventualities to avoid escalation of tension.
The most important part of Defence Minister’s speech was that India is engaged in building of advanced infrastructure along the LAC in a massive way. It entails a number of decisions of far reaching consequence like rail and road building close to the LAC, raising of two additional mountain divisions, building more airfields and air strips close to the LAC and patrolling of the LAC from close distance etc. Over the years of neglect, which certainly is collective responsibility, China had got used to take things for granted and did not think India would respond to her assertive policy on the LAC. But now finding that India was not only reacting but was making better and more comprehensive infrastructural preparedness, she is apprehensive. Her uncontested superiority on the border was getting eroded. Thus in frustration China is trying to assuage her shattered ego by making intrusions knowing well that India had capacity and will to retaliate. The Defence Minister assured the house that there was no question of China having illegally occupied territory in Ladakh.
We strongly support the Defence Minister for his very candid and open statement on the border issue with China. Here is a man who means business and no rhetoric. His message to Beijing is loud and clear: it is that India will retaliate and with vengeance if her borders are violated.
The Defence Minister is right in saying that for the years of neglect there has to be collective responsibility. It is not the time to make accusations and counter accusations. Border issue with Chine is to be dealt with above party politics as it is a national issue. It has to be understood that China has already made a strong foothold in Gilgit Baltistan and is in cahoots with Pakistan, our other adversary on the western border. All political parties have to understand that we are defending our border at a very high cost in terms of men and material. Our soldiers on the treacherous heights of Siachin Glacier are making enormous sacrifices. The Defence Minister has taken a historic decision without making fuss about it as is the wont with most of our leaders. The nation admires him.
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