China:Stop all trade

April 30/2013: China has stepped up its aggressive stand, making it clear that it is not in a mood to engage in talks as it goes ahead with physical occupation of territory on Indian soil in Ladakh near the strategic Karakoram pass. China has started building a road and the process of construction of a railway track is underway. Once this communication infrastructure gets completed, the territory can never ever be reclaimed by India. The belligerence exhibited by the Chinks have shown the chinks in India’s political and military establishments. In 1986, it was Sumdorong Chu incursion by China that was felt by India as a blatant attack. Yet, we as a nation failed to react.

Similarly, today, in April 2013 when Chinese troops merrily went ahead destroying Indian bunkers at Demchok or a handful of Chinky troops took a long unopposed 10 km walk into Indian territory near Daulat Beg Oldi, India stands as an eunuch State. To check the aggressive People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from freely entering Indian space, our Government sends the defensive Ladakh Scouts and Indo-Tibet Border Police. It must be understood these are para-military forces with light weaponry. They are not intended for use during hostilities nor do they have the ability or wherewithal to face an inimical army like the huge PLA. In such a situation, common sense tells us that India should immediately send its best army troops to not only pitch tents and be on standby but make counter moves to stop rail and road construction works from progressing. It could be a wild gamble but facing a direct challenge of armed hostility may force the Chinese to stop infrastructure construction and take a decision whether to start a battle or not. It is very possible that the PLA may be having clear instructions to engage Indian forces if the situation arises. Under such circumstances, it can definitely be said that India will not be a match to the largest army of the world. Still, a political message would go out to the world that China has begun the hostilities. This situation may compel the US and other not so friendly neighbours of China to take a stand this or that way. It is not conclusive that the US policy would support India. But it is more unlikely that it would support China. It is probable that other Asia-Pacific nations such as Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and other nations bothered with growing Chinese economic and military involvement in their internal affairs may feel inclined to take up positions that could embarrass the Chinese diplomatic initiatives.

Totally engrossed with its 2G, Coalgate, CBI record tampering by ministers, social upheavals in the form of rampant rapes and murders have left the Indian nation in a complete state of disarray. In this column, many a times, we have mentioned about the Indian government completely leaving all diplomatic policies and initiatives in the hands of inept bureaucrats. In this backdrop, our Prime Minister has been left speechless, as always, in the matter of the current Chinese invasion. It is only the Samajwadi leader and former Union Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav who has clearly stated that it is China which is India’s Enemy no.1.

The nation does not yet feel the Chinese heat because the leadership has not deemed it proper to rise up and react to such a grave danger. As usual, everything is being allowed to have a free run. Our obsession with Pakistan and issues such as Sarabjit have made the Indian diplomatic vision blurred. Completely failing on the diplomacy front, India has not thought it worthwhile to internationally raise the bogey of freeing Tibet from Chinese occupation nor has it initiated Leader to Leader contacts between India and other Asia-Pacific nations bothered with Chinese indiscretions in their affairs. This is a historic undoing of the UPA-II Government which is going to cost the nation very dearly for all times to come. Like huge tracts of Pakistan occupied Kashmir or the massive geographical areas taken away by China in NEFA (Now Arunachal) in the 1950s and 1960s, it is sad that even modern day India stands powerless.

As an immediate step, the Government of India must ban all trade with the People’s Republic of China. Exports of minerals and other raw materials from India would be an antidote that the Chinese establishment would feel instantly. In the diplomatic front, opening up full-fledged ambassadorial relations with Taiwan would also send a message that Beijing would not appreciate at all.

India has to act NOW. The Chinese threat is REAL. It is not another scam that should send Manmohan and Sonia running for cover. An invasion may send them both running away from India. The common Indian would be left headless and helpless.