TOUCH AND GO

China is trying to play the victim card following the recent skirmishes at Galwan in the tensed East Ladakh sector is evidence enough that probably for the first time ever China is getting scared of India. It is not often that China admits casualties on its side, which it has done this time, without disclosing the numbers of those killed or injured.

The casualty figures on the Indian side stands at 20. Media reports quoting army intelligence suggest that China may have lost 43 lives in its misadventure. China handing over 10 detained soldiers including two officers on Thursday suggests that they are unnerved and may not want an escalation in tension on the LAC.

Reasons for China buckling down can be many. It was long suggested that China flexes its muscles only so long as it is allowed to and retracts when challenged. China probably had never factored in that India is now capable enough to retaliate under a leadership which had shown its intent with two surgical strikes deep inside Pakistan.

It is also possible that China may be rattled with the growing Boycott Made in China products and promptness with which New Delhi cancelled tunnelling and signalling contracts given to two government-owned Chinese companies.

I feel New Delhi is trying to trap a greedy China into the carrot and stick policy, just to demonstrate how their misadventures could hurt the Chinese economy by allocating and cancelling tenders given to Chinese firms and allowing Chinese investment at Pune plant of the General Motors.

It’s time that China stops poking India and tries to resolve the contentious LAC issue through dialogue after building mutual trust. The two nuclear neighbours and Asian giants would gain tremendously if they work together rather than work against each other. ... SURENDER SINGH KOHLI, NEW DELHI via email