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.
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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.