Last year around this time, everyone in India was wondering if the Chinese would recommence their offensives this summer. The summer has come and gone. There has been no indication of any Chinese offensive intent. However, with the news filtering out that the Chinese have changed their Commander of WTC for the fourth time and that they are carrying out a large number of exercises, there is speculation in the air. The question is that whether the Chinese will take advantage of the situation in Afghanistan to once again attempt an incursion along the LAC to settle issues in their favour. In this context Aadi and I had a great discussion to examine whether China will undertake an offensive in the midst of the evolving situation in Afghanistan. The complexities involved are huge and the risks of success and failure are equally great. The question is will China take the risk to do so ?
‘Sir, will China invade us?’ ‘We hear China has increased activities on the border’. Chinese consolidation activities on the LAC have prompted such reactions and fears. Lot of such inquiries from citizens within and outside India. Why? Bodies floating down Ganga, mass graves, lack of oxygen, medicines or hospital beds, botched vaccination program, uninterrupted work on Central Vista - all these have eroded our political capital immensely and seeded such doubts. Our national institutions are being compared to ‘rottweilers’ in the media. Economy? Unemployment figures and stock markets – both rattling up. Strangest combination. Rich getting richer and poor getting poorer. An ominous divergence which bodes ill. Leadership? Kis Chidiya ka naam hai bhai? National level paralysis in responding to the second wave. Erosion in comprehensive national power. Many have never experienced India being so weak. Nor did I for that matter. This frightening experience ...
A good analysis.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
2023-2024 is a good time to destabilise India. By then international memory on Covid would have receded.
Political game in Gilgit Pakistan is needed.