Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed at the all-party meet on the LAC situation on 19 June that there was no intrusion into the Indian borders and that none of India’s posts had been occupied by China. This assertive statement has come amid much clamour in India’s defence circles, according to which, China has occupied the area between Finger 4 and Finger 8 of the Pangong Tso lake, which till recently, was being patrolled by both countries.
But soon after the meeting in Delhi, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian asserted that the Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the LAC and that it was India that had intruded and broken the status quo. It is myopic to see the Indo-China conflict just as a diplomatic flare up. It’s only a matter of time when this conflict will become the straw that broke the camel’s back, domestically. The camel here being the Narendra Modi government.
Wishing away a crisis
The Friday meeting witnessed chiefs of all opposition parties on the same page. They affirmed that they stood united with the government and the armed forces. But Congress President Sonia Gandhi remained sternly critical of the Modi government. She demanded that the government give an assurance to the entire nation that China will revert to its original position on the Line of Actual Control. She criticised the Modi government for being lethargic in addressing the nation and that how it was still keeping the country “in the dark about many crucial aspects of the crisis.” With the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s claim to Galwan Valley, her critique stands vindicated.
The Modi government seems to be wishing away the recent diplomatic crises that it’s facing, not only from China but also from Nepal. India’s neighbours are suddenly beginning to redraw boundaries and claim land that has been a sovereign part of India. At home, the Modi government is beginning to look irresponsible in its dealings with both China and Nepal.
Also read: China’s claim on Galwan not in accordance with Beijing’s past position, says India
Sea change in a year’s time
With the LAC witnessing the worst clashes between India and China in 53 years, Modi is barely beginning to see the repercussions of the death of 20 soldiers, who lost their lives defending India’s sovereignty. And the common perception shaping up is that India seems to be doing nothing about it, especially when compared to what Modi did just about a year ago.
In 2019, India witnessed the ‘56 inch chest’ of Modi government when the prime minister walked the talk by avenging the death of 40 soldiers in Pulwama, killed in a terrorist attack, by entering Pakistan’s airspace. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s return to India, after being captured by Pakistan, was an emotive moment that etched in the minds of every Indian and brought Modi back to power with a thumping victory in Lok Sabha election. Modi was dubbed as the man with the iron fist.
But 2020 seems to be in sharp contrast with last year, now that China is unilaterally changing the LAC status-quo. True, that escalating an over six-decade-old sensitive border issue would not have been pragmatic. But considering the flak China is facing for its mishandling of the coronavirus crisis, India could have adopted a tougher stance by unequivocally telling China not to encroach the Galwan Valley. Instead, the Modi government has made India look at fault, by clearing China of not intruding its borders. The Chinese government has clearly taken advantage of this statement by blaming the Army of entering its territory in their official statements.
Also read: Galwan clash was a result of China trying to build structures across LAC, says PMO
All-party meet a formality
China’s statements after Modi’s all-party meet now make it look like an exercise that was conducted just to make the opposition shut up. Instead, the critical voices only seem to be growing, especially those coming from the veterans, who feel that the death of 20 soldiers while protecting India’s sovereignty has gone in vain, since the Chinese are now laying claim to Galwan Valley due to Modi government’s mellowed stance.
I served my country ?? thru #IndianArmy over 4 decades. For what? Just 1 goal. To defend territorial integrity, borders & sovereignty of #India. I'm shattered 2 see India quietly accepting #China changing status of #LAC in #EasternLadakh. What a sad day 4 every soldier like me ☹️
— Lt Gen Rameshwar Roy (Retd.) Indian Army (@LtGen_Roy) June 19, 2020
In fact, in the past, Modi heavily rode on Congress’ diplomatic failures with China by constantly asking them to show “lal ankh” (red eye) or have a stronger stance towards China. The video of his speech was made viral during the 2014 election by the BJP IT cell. Today, it has come back to haunt the Modi government for not doing the same.
Also read: PM Modi has surrendered Indian territory to China, says Rahul Gandhi
Modi has opposition’s backing, except Congress’
To attack a government on issues of border security, external threat and foreign policy, is a difficult line to adopt for any political party sitting in opposition. Although the Congress seems to be willing to take that risk, only time will tell if it benefits the party.
Among the opposition parties, the Congress seems to be the only one that is not shying away from criticising the PM or the government for failing at this diplomatic flashpoint. The party is leaving no stone unturned to showcase how the Modi government does not care about India’s soldiers. #BJPBetraysJawans trended on social media after Rahul Gandhi questioned the government for sending the soldiers unarmed to the border. Although foreign minister S. Jaishanker claimed that the soldiers were armed, but did not fire due to previous agreements with China, Lieutenant General (retired) H.S. Panag clarified that weapons can be used by the commander if lives of soldiers or territory is threatened.
Article 6 of 1996 Agreement! These agreements apply to border management snd not while dealing with a tactical military situation. Lastly when lives of soldiers or security of post/territory threatened, Cdr on the spot can use all weapons at his disposal including Artillery. pic.twitter.com/6J4KD33nhg
— Lt Gen H S Panag(R) (@rwac48) June 18, 2020
The all-party meet has ended up creating a bigger mess for the Modi government, especially when it was set out to do just the opposite. The country has been wanting to know the truth, ever since the first Chinese intrusions were reported in the first week of May. But it took the government over six weeks and the death of 20 soldiers to convene an all-party meet, which ended up leaving more questions than answers.
The author is a political observer and writer. Views are personal.
Damned if you do Damned if you don’t. One reason why a country like India will never prosper. I will be surprised if it remains one piece in the next 50 years. China will soon be claiming land somewhere near northern border of TN.
It is difficult for bhakths to accept mentally their godman has failed. It will take a few more beatings from Xi.
The “G Family” “scion” is like a village idiot that people indulge and tolerate. But is a village idiot ever consulted or taken seriously when life & death decisions are made?
Congress = China Virus
Congress = Corruption = Congress = Traitors =Congress = Arrogance = Congress = Duffer Gandhi = Congress = Dim Wit Gandhi = Congress = Inheritance = Congress = Half Wit Gandhi = Congress = Living on Tax Payers Expense = Congress = China voice = Congress = Pakistani
For a change, a non Hinduphobic rant by the motrama. I wonder if this any genuine sign of change or a momentary lapse.
Your pseudonym is at variance with your talk. Marcus Aurelius would have been most unhappy with your arrogance and abuse. The Emperor was a very careful, erudite thinker who chose his words carefully. He most certainly would not have approved of our PM- a vain, narcissistic, megalomaniac who “rushed in where angels fear to tread” because of his pompous, careless grandiloquence. Maybe he thought international relations were like his election campaigns, he could boast and act as he pleases, with no consequences.
By the way, I am talking of the actual Marcus Aurelius not the one on the Gladiator movie. For the Emperor, temperance was one of the most important virtues in life.
INDIA if it has to stare in China’s eyes has to reduce population. Will SUPPORTERS of rioters, anti CAA protestors agree to reduce INDIA’s population through strict population control measures. This is a question that MANY opponents of MODIJI will never be able to write about. Will they EVER be able to come to terms that scientific education is necessary even if it contradicts religious beliefs. Only than ask questions or go back to your medieval sense of history and stay there.
Marcus Aurelius: your comment and the name adopted is incongruent with each other. That is if you are aware what a great man congruent was.
Not “is incongruent”, but “are incongruent”. Did you learn English in a madarsa?
Congress is the only party not to support with the Government in this time of crisis; when we should be standing as one against the country’s enemies. Congress is the Chinese termite inside India.
Congress is the only party standing with the soldiers, asking why they were allowed to die.. and whether we’re gonna take our land back or not! The rest, including Modi don’t really care do they?!
Congress should agree with your infallible Modi, to cede land ? So that has become the test of Hindu patriotism.
CRAZY!
Modi obviously didn’t want to be questioned.. so he pretended nothing happened. The PMO clarification was to deal with the opposition. But Modi’s statement was also to deal with his own supporters, for no clarification is meant to reach their ears.. With the BJP IT Cell, Media Cell and Watsapp Cell in tow, that no one ever came here will become the ‘truth’ in a matter of months, if not days.
That China is also praising his statement, and is now justifying all of their encroachment and murder, is of no matter to the man or his supporters. But for the rest, it’s a matter of shame to not call out a bully, nor stand up for our martyrs. I guess when you’re a bully yourself, standing up and facing your shortfalls is very, very hard!!
Nehru 1962 = Modi 2020. No difference.
It does not surprise that people like you do not understand that we have an elected government by the people unlike All ISLAMIC countries. Muslims like you will not under stand because you have perverted Congress mind and cannot reason.Decisions are made after consultation with all people in the cabinet and others.India does not have a King or Emperor or Rulers like all Islamic countries who you do not mention.India does not have an opposition with any realistic numbers and educated who understand all reasoning.
Decisions are made after consultation with all people in the cabinet and others.
Indeed. So was the decision to concede land to avoid a bigger beating ? That must be a Hindutva way of thinking.
Till now Modi had a knack of turning adversity into opportunity – sometimes genuinely like the Bhuj earthquake relief effort and sometimes in an underhanded fashion – like Balakot. The coronavirus pandemic mismanagement and this border skirmish has actually forced Modi into the defensive. This time it seems that he wants to duck these issues and hope they get sorted without lasting damage to his image instead of relishing in the challenge. It is seen that after 20 years Venus leaves a native’s chart and good fortune which lasted for 20 years seems to desert such a person. Modi’s good fortune started in 2000 and now it is 2020. It has so far heaped 2 ignominious firsts on the PM.
1. First PM since Nehru to officially lose Indian territory
2. First PM since Morarji Desai to preside on a negative growth Indian economy.
Indians maybe distracted by the ruling party’s tactic of blaming Rahul Gandhi for everything – Xi is unlikely to relent unless Modi promises him total obedience.
Options before Modi are
1. Compromise with Xi and keep his PM chair intact (for now)
2. Compromise with the opposition, tell the truth to the nation about the real situation at the border and unite the country behind him.
Despite all those failures you list, Modi is upheld by many Hindus because he beat up Indian Muslims in 2002 and he periodically tortures them. It appeals to sadist type Hindus. They will continue supporting him as the saviour of Hindus even if Xi takes all of the NE.
Does anyone take the Congress seriously? Does Congress take itself seriously?
The Congress exists only for 1 reason – it’s a proxy for Pakistan, China, militant Islamists – all powers inimical to India.
Even the common man has become aware of this by now – and this is reinforced every time Rahul Gandhi tweets or speaks. Rahul comes across as a hollow, callow and empty middle-aged man with the intellect of a camel. A good looking guy – but dumb as a donkey.
PM Modi’s stature is like Mount Everest in comparison.
In that case, BJP is the proxy fro China.. In fact Modi has now become very popular in China, for giving them our land and allowing our soldiers to die without making any noise about it!!
PM Modi’s stature is like Mount Everest – for Hindus only. He has no stature in Xi’s eyes !
The difficulty is psychological. Modi’s self image of being an administrative Superman on the basis of having governed Gujarat as CM is at variance with the reality of his performance and weakness of execution. India is paying a heavy price for this problem of misplaced adoration of a man with no foreign affairs and economic expertise.
His aversion (for reasons of what he allowed to happen in Gujarat) to public questioning/accountability leafs to rogue, autocratic behaviour to the detriment of our polity and nation. Like Communist China, he equates the Nation with himself. As an Indian, I find that questionable and dangerous.
The cause for Modi’s support is that he beat up Indian Muslims in 2002. For most Hindus, that is good enough for permanent adoration.
One thing is for sure – this crisis has exposed Duffer Gandhi not only as a stupid man but also as a traitor.
Duffer’s idiotic “questions” & statements that seek to humiliate the PM will only boomerang onto Duffer, his foreign mother & the band of carpet baggers masquerading as the Congress party.
Until now the people of India were willing to tolerate & indulge Duffer. He entertained us all with his ignorant goofy grin. His regular foolish comments were good for a laugh. But now he has clearly become a threat to the people of India.
you are behind times… after #surendermodi (or #surrendermodi if you prefer), the word is “Modi hi pappu hai”! pass it on.
4 against 1 …… yes, that”s a fair fight. The Chinese must have trained you girls.
Bring it on. Did the truth sting so much?
Yes. He is asking questions which “Nation does not want to know”
Original Pappu Modi was late in recognising the significance of both Corona and China.. The results are there to see.. stop being blind!
Should you not focus on the cowardly and incompetent duffer who is ruling and who has ceded land without fighting, and who did his best to strengthen China’s economy by allowing a one way trade surplus ?