Saturday, September 20, 2014

THE PERSISTING BOUNDARY ISSUES BETWEEN INDIA AND CHINA

After holding several rounds of talks about more than fifteen of them,to settle the boundary problems  between India and China, no progress has been achieved so far. Both nations are genuine in their approach to hold discussion on the question of the drawing a boundary line to the satisfaction of both since decades, no solution has so far been reached on issue of boundary. Narendra Modi, our Prime Minister like Xi Jin Ping is of the same view that without achieving ‘peace and stability’on the territorial disputes other issues seem irrelevant. And on the question of crossing the rubicon the leaders of the two nations have decided to pick up the thread of talks left early during UPA govt. Talks are bound to continue till the very end of five years of Modi rule, taking into account our past experiences. Our former National Security Adviser M.K.Narayanan   and Shiv Sankar Menon must be laughing wherever they are on the issue of the bone contention, ie the boundary issues. After holding one round of talks both agree to disagree and fix another date to hold discussions but the issues are back to square one. It is not because of lack of sincerity on the part of each nation but both are at a loss to untie the Gordian knot. 
For instance, on the question of Arunachal Pradesh China remains stubborn even while it continues to be part of India. Arguments and disputes have already occurred between both nations on the issue, it seems to be out of question at least  a step is unlikely to take place to cede Arunachal Pradesh to China. The latter is of the view that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of it.
Even while before Xi Jin Ping was about to board the flight almost six hundred Chinese soldiers tried to encroach into Ladakh’s Chumar province. Upon locating them Indian soldiers followed by the people inhabiting that part of area have put up a human wall to prevent the Chinese from trespassing.
Xi Jin Ping after spending three days in India have returned to China yesterday after investing $ 20 billion in various sectors which too is meager as India had expected $100 billion of investment.
Narendra Modi, it is widely known is a show guru and as a departure from protocol Xi was appealed to land at Ahmedabad where he was accorded an unprecedented reception. Even while at the auspicious occasion of Modi being sworn in as PM leaders of SAARC countries were invited which too was first of its kind. Anyhow it was a welcome step and we should appreciate him since it provided an opportunity to engage in discussion in an atmosphere of cordiality and camaraderie.
Let’s come to boundary dispute between India and China. If and when India and China allow the status quo remain as such t would be something better. It is very difficult to settle the issue even after holding several rounds of talks held so far, how is it possible to arrive at a formula. It would be better allowing the boundaries remain irrelevant instead of harping on the former problem and divert the attention to improve bilateral ties and let trade and investment flourish. If China insists on Arunachal Pradesh as its property India under no circumstance will be ready to accept China’s demand even if a war breaks out between both. Even if China includes Arunachal Pradesh in its map as its integral part, intensity of enmity is likely to aggravate between the two nations. Like Pakistan since 1948 continues to claim J&K as its part and already fought four wars, India has unequivocally told them categorically that J&K is an integral part of India.
Same attitude can be expected from India on the question of Arunachal Pradesh if at all China continues its demand to claim the ‘ownership’ of Arunachal Pradesh.


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