Need to counter China’s aggressive behaviour

The US Army’s Pacific Commanding General Charles A Flynn on Wednesday warned that the destabilising behaviour of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the Indo-Pacific region is simply not helpful and some of the defence infrastructures that are being set up by China near its border with India are alarming. This warning comes amidst a report that China is constructing a second bridge in an area held by it around the strategically key Pangong Tso Lake in eastern Ladakh and it could help its military to quickly mobilise its troops in the region. China has also been establishing other infrastructures such as roads and residential areas in the border areas with India.

Even though China has been acting aggressively along the line of control, the Indian government still seems to be in the sleeping mode. No sincere effort has been made to reclaim the land illegally captured by the Chinese in eastern Ladakh. The armed forces of India and China have been engaged in a tense border standoff in eastern Ladakh since 5 May, 2020, when there was a violent clash between the two sides in Pangong Lake areas. Several rounds of peace talks between the two nations have failed to resolve the conflict. With the Chinese acting aggressively and failing to come around, India has no choice but to stand up to their bullying tactics.

Development, especially road, rail and mobile communication, should be aggressively improved along the India-China border areas. This will help India to establish domination along the border areas. The babus sitting in Delhi should stop creating obstacles citing some obsolete rules while clearing major projects for the border areas. These development works have to be taken up on a priority basis. This will be one of the best ways to counter aggressive Chinese behaviour.