Beijing-New Delhi relations on a rough terrain, again
Monday, 2 November 2009
Fazle Rashid
MOUNTING tension between China and India over their respective claim on the disputed territory on their northern border will threaten peace in the region, the analysts fear. China is pressing ahead with its claim and mounting diplomatic pressure on New Delhi while India has called for restraint.
The entire South Asia including Myanmar and Thailand have lined up behind China with Bangladesh preferring to remain a bye-stander, clinging to the status of the odd man out throwing its weight behind India
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's tentative decision to provide India with a road link from eastern India to the northeast is not considered favourably by China. It will not may not only invite the ire of Beijing but also lead to weakening of position for any diplomatic manoeuvring. Bangladesh's goal of drilling oil in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean will depend on China's nod.
Rising territorial claims by China present India with the threat of two military fronts on its northern borders, a reputed paper quoted former Indian national security adviser Brajesh Mishra as saying. Mishra warned of an unprecedented challenge of simultaneous fronts with arch rival Pakistan and China.
Pakistan is going through a turbulent period with Islamic Jihadists gaining ascendancy and making inroads into well-fortified areas. Pakistan's biggest ally in their common battle against the Jihadist, the US publicly rebuked Islamabad for failing to conquer and tame the Jihadists. India has offered hands of friendship to rebellious groups in Indian-held Kashmir so that it could divert its whole attention to its problems with Beijing and Islamabad either diplomatically or militarily, later option being a very low priority.
China has been flexing its muscles and have added a clear stridency to its claims on Arunachal Pradesh. The government of India is also facing renewed attacks by the Naxalites not only in West Bengal but in other parts of the country as well. The security cost of meeting the threats have jumped by 25 per cent this year in India.
A reputed paper speculates that China could mount a military offensive against India in the region. India has increased the deployment of army in the area. China has further been annoyed by the US help to India to bolster its nuclear arsenal while Washington has been opposing Iran and North Korea's bid to acquire nuclear arsenal. China has been offering visas to rebels in Kashmir and building a dam on Pakistan side of the disputed area. China has turned a deaf ear to India's request to stop both.
The United States have started tight rope walking. It is steering clear of the dispute as its has warm bilateral ties with all three -- China, India and Pakistan. The White House refused to host a meeting with Tibetan leader Dalai Lama during his recent visit to Washington, on consideration that it might sour US ties with China. President Obama is set to make an official visit to China soon.
MOUNTING tension between China and India over their respective claim on the disputed territory on their northern border will threaten peace in the region, the analysts fear. China is pressing ahead with its claim and mounting diplomatic pressure on New Delhi while India has called for restraint.
The entire South Asia including Myanmar and Thailand have lined up behind China with Bangladesh preferring to remain a bye-stander, clinging to the status of the odd man out throwing its weight behind India
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's tentative decision to provide India with a road link from eastern India to the northeast is not considered favourably by China. It will not may not only invite the ire of Beijing but also lead to weakening of position for any diplomatic manoeuvring. Bangladesh's goal of drilling oil in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean will depend on China's nod.
Rising territorial claims by China present India with the threat of two military fronts on its northern borders, a reputed paper quoted former Indian national security adviser Brajesh Mishra as saying. Mishra warned of an unprecedented challenge of simultaneous fronts with arch rival Pakistan and China.
Pakistan is going through a turbulent period with Islamic Jihadists gaining ascendancy and making inroads into well-fortified areas. Pakistan's biggest ally in their common battle against the Jihadist, the US publicly rebuked Islamabad for failing to conquer and tame the Jihadists. India has offered hands of friendship to rebellious groups in Indian-held Kashmir so that it could divert its whole attention to its problems with Beijing and Islamabad either diplomatically or militarily, later option being a very low priority.
China has been flexing its muscles and have added a clear stridency to its claims on Arunachal Pradesh. The government of India is also facing renewed attacks by the Naxalites not only in West Bengal but in other parts of the country as well. The security cost of meeting the threats have jumped by 25 per cent this year in India.
A reputed paper speculates that China could mount a military offensive against India in the region. India has increased the deployment of army in the area. China has further been annoyed by the US help to India to bolster its nuclear arsenal while Washington has been opposing Iran and North Korea's bid to acquire nuclear arsenal. China has been offering visas to rebels in Kashmir and building a dam on Pakistan side of the disputed area. China has turned a deaf ear to India's request to stop both.
The United States have started tight rope walking. It is steering clear of the dispute as its has warm bilateral ties with all three -- China, India and Pakistan. The White House refused to host a meeting with Tibetan leader Dalai Lama during his recent visit to Washington, on consideration that it might sour US ties with China. President Obama is set to make an official visit to China soon.