Three fronts have surfaced simultaneously to embarrass India in a worsening security environment in the subcontinent. After China killed several Indian soldiers in a brutal nocturnal hit in sub-zero temperatures in Ladakh, top military level discussions are going on to defuse the situation. Nepal changed its map and came from behind to stop India from carrying out an embankment work in Bihar. Pakistan is waiting in the wings to hurt India at every turn. Terrorist offensives have seen a new phase in Kashmir and a CRPF camp has been targeted in Pulwama, in an attempted repeat of Uri.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh is in Russia, among other engagements, to expedite defence purchases and deliveries like Sukhoi, MiG29s, S-400 missile systems etc. Alongside, external affairs minister S Jaishankar addressed a Russia-India-China trilateral via video mode, stressing on the need for nations to follow the ethos of global relations. Words mean little in these critical times. This is time for firm stands.
Admittedly, there is a need for a serious rethink on India’s present close ties with China and action could follow at multiple levels spanning diplomacy and trade. At the same time, a different approach towards Nepal might be in order. If Nepal has genuine grievances, they must be addressed and a confrontation avoided. There is reason to invest more in India’s relations with Nepal as bilateral engagements remain strong and fraternal feelings are age-old; unlike China. The present government in Nepal, headed by Sharma Oli, might even be a passing phase. His closeness to the Chinese leadership is well-known. Reports are also that China is using him to grab parts of Nepalese territory; something that China keeps doing with all its neighbours all the time.
Pakistan is not in a fighting mood with India now, thanks also to the apparent interest for peace on the part of prime minister Imran Khan. Pakistan’s military is not comfortable with this scenario, and is watching the unfolding situation in the subcontinent in the context of the confrontations by China and Nepal with India. Notably, Afghanistan too is not as close to India now as it had been for ages.
Even Bangladesh is being wooed by China. Since 2015, Bangladesh is China’s top trading partner, a position that India has lost. Billions in Chinese funds are being invested in Bangladesh in bridges and power projects. Sri Lanka was wooed in a similar manner by China and it alienated Colombo from India in the backdrop of the LTTE menace there. Time for India to play its cards with great care, alert, and more of decisiveness.
