tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post8431122696763601023..comments2024-03-28T05:22:10.255-07:00Comments on Broadsword by Ajai Shukla - Strategy. Economics. Defence.: Is China nibbling at the border?Broadswordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-61081672352541428652008-02-23T18:47:00.000-08:002008-02-23T18:47:00.000-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-61852269999684986422008-02-23T11:53:00.000-08:002008-02-23T11:53:00.000-08:00Mr. Shukla, it may be hoped that the Army chief ca...Mr. Shukla, it may be hoped that the Army chief categorically meant that Indian troops regularly intrude into Chinese controlled disputed areas also. <BR/><BR/>For, his statement that, "When they come up to their perception, we call it an incursion and likewise they do," should not mean that Indian troops patrolling on the Indian side itself is seen as intrusion by the Chinese, because the Chinese see that area as disputed.<BR/><BR/>Indian leaders should also not <B>regularly</B> visiting AP. The PM's visit was routine in contrast. Regular visits would be a conscious admission of "claiming" the area and "power-projection". <BR/><BR/>One doesn't proclaim one's ownership of one's property daily in public, else suspicions would arise. The very act of doing so is a tacit admission of insecurity and uncertainty.<BR/>Similarly, AP being Indian territory, there would be no need of periodic visits by national leaders to "assert" our claim there.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Indian diplomats must also be as aggressive as Sun Yuxi, without the latter's undiplomatic nature and bluntness.<BR/><BR/>As far as possible, the environment and tribal culture of the last surviving "pristine" hill forests must be preserved. This will neither endanger national security, nor result in social isolation of the AP peoples. The requirements of the army can be adequately met by constructing the 2 link-roads as you mentioned. In this regard, the opposition by Sikkimese Lepcha tribals against a series of mega hydel-projects can be noted, and taken as an example. <BR/>Such a sudden "deluge" of construction activity, and "herding off" to rehabilitation and so-called "mainstream", may shock the tribal people of AP.<BR/><BR/>Tourism (domestic & foreign) of the area can significantly help in a passive assertion of claim to AP, besides generation of income for the locals.<BR/><BR/>Thank you.<BR/><BR/>References :-<BR/><BR/>1) Protest against hydel projects in Sikkim, (The Hindu, Jul 2007)<BR/>http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/25/stories/2007072551211600.htmAbhimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725190272782358248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-53501689561196084002008-02-23T06:50:00.000-08:002008-02-23T06:50:00.000-08:00To add to ajai's interesting list:f. State-rushed ...To add to ajai's interesting list:<BR/><BR/>f. State-rushed economic development of the area (beyond the necessary tourism). Transform it into India's gateway to China via Tibet (TAR, of course).<BR/><BR/>India's neglect of the NE is nothing short of criminal. No wonder they are rather pissed off there. I know that I am - and that is only Bihar.A&Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06366115360970179692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-51891769116001796332008-02-23T01:13:00.000-08:002008-02-23T01:13:00.000-08:00Actually, it's not difficult at all. India needs t...Actually, it's not difficult at all. India needs to take the following steps:<BR/><BR/>a. A massive infrastructure push in the disputed areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. We need to have a road linking Daulat Beg Oldi to Demchok, along the LAC. And, of course, trans-Arunachal highways, spanning the state from Tawang to Tirap. The former foreign secretary, Mr Shyam Saran, is heading a task force on border infrastructure, which is recommending a series of highways and link roads in these areas.<BR/><BR/>b. Frequent visits by national leaders to the disputed areas, such as the one by the PM to Arunachal Pradesh this year. If no national leaders go to these areas, the signal that is sent out is that India itself lacks conviction in claiming these areas. The PM's visit skipped Tawang; that was a major programming blunder. The message that must have been received in Beijing is that India wants the rest of Arunachal, but is willing to give up Tawang.<BR/><BR/>c. Integration of the locals in these areas into the national mainstream. Not the crude demographic shift that China has engineered in Tibet by bringing in large numbers of Han chinese, but by active exchange programmes between the border people and people in the interior states.<BR/><BR/>d. Major infrastructure programmes in these areas, such as the hydel power projects that are moving along slowly.<BR/><BR/>e. Actively bringing in foreign diplomats and tourists into these areas to send out the message that the disputed areas are Indian. The current "Inner Line" regulations that keep out foreigners from border areas are totally retrograde and outdated measures.<BR/><BR/>thxAjai Shuklahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16488839157370084666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-38343079760588946332008-02-23T00:49:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:49:00.000-08:00Ajai:Its fine that China is not grabbing any terri...Ajai:<BR/><BR/>Its fine that China is not grabbing any territory in the NE. But the aggressive posturing by China needs to be countered by India. <BR/><BR/>The question is how does India do it effectively -- both militarily and diplomatically. The changed dynamics of geopolitics are indeed to India's disadvantage. Militarily we are not strong enough vis-a-vis China in those areas.<BR/><BR/>What is the best course of action, in the short term and in the long term? Any ideas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com