India must warn China that the present borders defined by the LAC cannot be changed and using the border dispute to impose hegemony will be considered as an act of war.
The real issue is where India’s frontier with China lies, not a few kilometres of ancient trading routes. A solution to this needs deep reflection on claims of territorial sovereignty.
Negotiations must be carried out from a position of strength, with a clear vision of the desired outcomes. For any settlement to succeed, it must be a win-win solution.
India shouldn't be in a hurry to negotiate a settlement on unequal terms with China merely for the success of G20 or to ward off a perceived threat to electoral success.
Ahead of G20, India should be wary of putting itself in a position where it desires to achieve a breakthrough on the northern border with its back to a time wall.
Foreign secy Kwatra says PM highlighted India's concerns on unresolved issues along LAC. This was 1st time the leaders interacted in public since Ladakh border stand-off began in 2020.
Territorial integrity is best safeguarded by development, civic infrastructure, settlements and footfall of tourists. China has been following this policy for a decade.
This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.
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