By Ajai Shukla
Business Standard, 18th Oct 13
With China wanting to signal “a steady, mature relationship”
with India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will benefit from unusual warmth
during his visit to Beijing on Oct 22. Government sources in New Delhi said
today that President Xi Jinping will break with protocol by hosting a meal for
the PM, in addition to the meeting with Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang.
The sources say that the two sides are working to finalise a
new Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA), which will lay down additional
safeguards to ensure peace on the border. The BDCA will be an “incremental
addition” to the border management protocols that began with the 1993 Peace and Tranquillity Agreement.
This was progressively solidified through the 1996 agreement on
Confidence-Building Measures on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and a set of
mutually agreed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that military patrols follow
when they come into contact in disputed areas.
These protocols
have ensured peace on the LAC for two decades, even though both sides patrol
disputed areas that they claim. The two major incidents since 1993 --- the
Chinese intrusion in 2008 at Finger in Sikkim, and in Depsang, near Daulat Beg
Oldi earlier this year --- were resolved through discussions.
Sources say
that the BDCA includes measures like: a hotline between military commanders; a “no-tailing”
clause that prohibits a patrol from following another from the opposing side
after they disengage according to the 2005 SOP. In addition, the BDCA nominates
additional points for border personnel meetings (BPMs) in all three sectors of
the LAC --- Ladakh (western sector); Uttarakhand (central sector); and
Sikkim-Arunachal (eastern sector).
Currently,
BPMs take place only at Chushul (Ladakh); Nathu La (Sikkim) and Bum La (Arunachal
Pradesh). Now meetings could be held at Kibithu-Damai (Walong sector, Arunachal
Pradesh), and Lipulekh La – Qiang La (Uttarakhand).
“The BDCA
will take the earlier protocols to the next level. It is important that we establish
direct contact between our army and the PLA (People’s Liberation Army),” says a
senior government official.
New Delhi
takes pains to emphasise that, notwithstanding Indian public outrage at the
Depsang instrusion in April/May, Chinese patrol intrusions have actually reduced
this year.
The
Sino-Indian border issue has also been discussed at the political level in 16
rounds of talks between nominated Special Representatives of both countries, a
dialogue track that was instituted during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s
visit to China in 2003. The current representatives --- National Security
Advisor Shivshankar Menon, and State Councillor Yang Jiechi --- met in Beijing
in June.
Today, a
government official indicated that gradual progress is being made in the
Special Representatives dialogue. “The two sides have made some progress
towards a ‘Framework Agreement’ though there is more to do,” he said.
The Special
Representatives dialogue is directed towards reaching a territorial settlement
through a three-step process. The first step, an agreement on “Guiding
Principles” for a settlement, was concluded in April 2005. The second step
envisages an “Agreed Framework” for a settlement. Once this is agreed, the final
step will involve the actual delineation of an agreed Sino-Indian border.
It seems good that India and China are willing to take a step forward to resolve long disputed LAC issue. But China should understand that alongside a 66 Billion USD trade and a resolved border pact, they should also try to make relations better with their neighbour in strategic fields. Mr. PM should also shade light on India's concern on Chinese supply of nuke reactors to Pakistan.
ReplyDeleteIt was a Chinese Nuclear Industry Huaxing Construction which facilitated the transfer of U.S.-origin atomic covering materials to a nuclear site the firm is constructing in Pakistan. Firm on this Monday accepted $2 million in penalties after telling a U.S. court it had plotted to breach rules against selling controlled materials to Pakistan. The company tapped a Chinese third party in attempting to hide the ultimate destination of the goods.
This Sino-Pak nuclear breach against NSG guidelines is a serious matter of concern as Pakistan's instability and extremist politico-military environment is the threat to the nuke security and a nuclear breach in Pakistan may cause a big nuclear incident. Nuclear technology is as unsafe as Malala Yousufzai is, in Pakistan.
Thus, keeping in mind that Pakistan and China's behind the screen nuclear deal may push world into a dark era and put the interest of India, Iran, the US, Europe and more ever Chinese & Pakistani interests and civilian security in a worst danger. This gamble is not worth and must be brought as a major issue of concern here and at the international stage.
Chinese breach shows that the degree of Nuclear Sanctions at International level is much less severe than the forest conservation law's in India.
No wonder we don't have a consistent military or foreign policy!
ReplyDeleteConsider the statement give, 'It is important that we establish direct contact between our army and the PLA'. Substitute 'Pakistan Army' instead of 'PLA' and then let's see how many of us will agree with or even condone such a statement.
While nonsensical symbolic issues such as minor Border Patrol confrontations or stapled Visas are in focus, China prepares to transfer two 1000 MW unsafeguarded reactors to Pakistan.
ReplyDeleteThere are six Land Customs Stations (LCS) in Arunachal Pradesh for border trade with China. India must invest heavily to improve the facilities at these LCSs. Serious steps need to be taken for increased volume and value of border trade with China. Simultaneous improvement of security arrangements will stop China from its aggressive actions against India. This will also stop them from such actions like issuing stapled visas.
ReplyDeleteGovernment and authorities need to take urgent initiatives.