This is not the time to cheer yet the writing is on the wall. Far from the Great Wall of China, the ice is thawing. India and China have begun a disengagement process on the north and south sides of Pangong Lake in East Ladakh, the scene of a stand-off between the militaries of the two powerful nations in Asia since May last. If the situation had come close to a war, that fact is also that the sagacity of the leaderships on both sides averted such an eventuality.
Through sustained talks lasting several rounds, contentious issues were brought to the table and matters discussed threadbare. Talks took place both at the military and diplomatic level. Significantly, both sides have agreed to quit for good and dismantle the constructions, if any in the disputed areas and detailed discussions will follow to set things in order. Discussions, though, will be a long haul. Yet, the leaderships of both countries have decided to give peace a chance.
It is well-understood that much of the problems between the two nations along the Line of Actual Control and thereabouts arose from the differences in perceptions as to which area belonged to whom – these being mostly uninhabited, snowy regions. As Union Minister, General VK Singh stated some days ago, incursions took place from both sides. The Chinese military might, in terms of sophisticated and lethal weapons it acquired with great frenzy in the past two decades, is more potent than that of India. Yet, the strong will of India’s ground force, the soldiers, and the heavy military preparedness here too, are sure to act as a deterrent against China’s alleged usurpation designs.
Both China and India are at a time in history when they cannot afford to waste time, energy or economic resources to fight a war. This realization is evident on both sides, and especially to President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi – leaders of two large nations that form much of Asia. They pursued their causes with careful steps, never giving a chance for emotions to overrun their mental perceptions.
External Affairs minister S Jaishankar, one of the finest brains in the present government, did a good job in getting matters across to China and enabled it to see reason. The strong steps by the Centre in effecting a minor yet significant economic blockade on the red nation via banning of apps etc also helped send the right signals to China. Without doubt, both sides are convinced that cooperation, not confrontation, is the way forward in these grim times. And just as well!