EDITORIAL
In the recent past we have seen a number of warnings issued by China voicing her annoyance on the Dalai LamaÕs visit to Tawang in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. On April 5, China gave a stiff warning that it would take Ònecessary measuresÓto defend its territorial sovereignty after India allowed the Dalai Lama to visit Tawang and other disputed parts of Arunachal Pradesh. They said this was a move that could cause Òserious damageÓto the bilateral ties. Simultaneously China also lodged a protest with IndiaÕs Ambassador in Beijing, Vijay Gokhale, over the Dalai LamaÕs visit.
The historical fact is that full statehood was granted to Arunachal Pradesh on February 20, 1987 when Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister and it became the 25th State of the Union of India. Area-wise, Arunachal Pradesh is the largest state of the NE region of India.
Since 1962 Indo-China war, China considers Arunachal Pradesh as Ôdisputed territoryÕ and leaves no opportunity to lay its claim on the land. India, in the past, had cancelled the permission to the Buddhist leader to visit Arunachal Pradesh. But this time the Modi Government allowed the Dalai Lama to travel to Arunachal Pradesh, especially Tawang Monastery considered important for the Buddhists.
Chinese objections regarding the Dalai LamaÕs Arunachal Pradesh visit seem to be the result of an apprehension on the impact on the people of Tibet. China had forcibly occupied Tibet since 1959 and the Dalai Lama had taken refuge in India with his followers. But there have been movements going on to free Tibet from the Chinese slavery and hence the apprehension and sensitivity of China.
India and China have been negotiating to resolve the border dispute for more than 20 years but an agreement is yet to be reached. The dispute covers the 3,488-km line of actual control (LAC). China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of south Tibet. The region of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh was also the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama, further complicating Chi
From the above actions and reactions it is obvious that the Dalai LamaÕs Tawang visit among other places in Arunachal has rattled China. The intensity of ChinaÕs reaction this time is indeed surprising considering that it has been deliberately dragging its feet in resolving the border dispute along the line of actual control (LAC) and has not even exchanged maps to clarify their perception of the LAC.
The strident notes emerging from the state-controlled media in China have been the centre point of many debates and discussions in India and some of the reasons attributed to the strong Chinese reaction to the Dalai LamaÕs visit this time are: The emergence of a nationalistic right-wing government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which seems to be getting politically stronger by the day especially after BJPÕs win in the Uttar Pradesh state elections. Under Modi the nation is bound to become stronger in all respects and thus perhaps have a more dominating presence in the region which is worrying China.
The unpredictability of President Donald TrumpÕs China policy and its impact on One China policy with respect to Taiwan and Tibet.
The perceived political closeness that may develop between India and the US under the TrumpÕs regime.
The sensitivity of China towards Tibet and the impact the Dalai Lama, covered by the international media, may have on the people of Tibet who have been subjugated by China.
Case of Kulbhushan Jadhav
Another issue which has made headlines recently, is the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav former Commander of the Indian Navy who has been arrested by Pakistan from Balochistan province, as declared by them, on March 25, 2016, and on April 10, 2017, the PakistanÕs army said that Jadhav was convicted by a military tribunal for espionage and sabotage and sentenced to death. A statement by the Pakistani militaryÕs publicity wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said Jadhav was declared guilty of waging war against the country and has accused him of being an - ysis Wing (RAW), IndiaÕs external spy agency.
Pakistan Army had also released a Òconfessional videoÓof Jadhav who is purportedly heard saying that he was serving the Indian Navy. In the video, Jadhav allegedly says he arrived in Iran in 2003 and started a small business in Chahbahar.
India, on the other hand, maintains that he is a businessman who was abducted from Iran and falsely implicated as a spy to discredit India.
Indian Parliament has shown a rare solidarity in raising its voice against the manner in which Pakistan has handled the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav. The Government of India has said that if the sentence Òis carried out, the government and people of India will regard it as an case of premeditated murderÓ, it said.
While many discussions and debates have been held in the TV studios regarding IndiaÕs options, the one thing that is clear is that most analysts feel that India under Prime Minister Modi can possible that if the death sentence of Jadhav is carried out, will be severe.
Stone-pelting in Kashmir
the country is the restlessness of the youth in the Kashmir valley. Stone-pelting has become a way of life in the valley where the youth take to pelting stones at the security forces, without any provocation. The recent to a jeep went viral in the social media and many objected to the tactics adopted by the Army. The critics sitting in Delhi have no other work except to pick up an issue which would give them some TV coverage. This includes some from our veteran community and most of us are genuinely ashamed of these people. What is perturbing is shouting match which ensues and our veterans are at the forefront not realising the distasteful spectacle being exhibited.
The incident pertains to the mob of stone-pelters who had gathered at the police booth at Budgam which was attacked on April 9. The mob was throwing stones at the Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) and Jammu and Kashmir Police to prevent voters from casting their votes. The ITBP personnel on duty realised that they would not be able to get out alive and called for Army help. When the 17-strong Army Quick Reaction Team ( QRT) arrived, they too realised they were outnumbered. The commander of the QRT decided it escalate tensions, despite the fact that rescuing the men inside was important. He caught the alleged stone-pelter Dar, tied him on to the jeep and drove past the mob of 900, saving the ITBP and J&K Police personnel and his own boys.
Having spent 40 years of service in the Army and having fought two wars (1965 and 1971), and enough experience behind me in handling tricky situations, I think this was the most thoughtful of the QRT who should be re his presence of mind.
We are all aware that the level of violence has gone up exponentially since ChinaÕs strategic lodgement in Gilgit-Baltistan. It is not a coincidence that Chinese Valley. Connect the dots of Chinese support to Naga and ULFA insurgencies and you can realise what is systematically creeping upon us.
This issue carries articles on Armed Forces Special Powers Act; Cyber Terrorism and China Pakistan Economic Corridor among others.