China could be facing an internal disquiet, their trade disputes with the US finishing off many Chinese manufactories, several thrown out of employment. Also, the protests in Hong Kong have not ended, and the new security laws have been enforced in the region, contrary to the Chinese assurances to the British government who ruled the now Special Administered Region of China.
The last year’s Chinese Doklam standoff with India considerably dented the bloated Chinese image, their president Xi’s in particular. Besides, the non-disclosure of critical information relating to the origin and the spread of Covid in China brought little appreciation from the world leaders. China had to redeem its image and that of its President the soonest.
The boldness with which India confronted on an eyeball-to-eyeball at Doklam may have shocked and surprised China, who are still living in a fantasy world of pre-1962. Most Chinese view India as poor and weak against their military might. The popular belief had to be upheld to avoid any serious doubts over the leadership’s efficiency.
Galwan, where the Chinese troops have been building their strength, became a focal point of confrontation. Whoever controls the region would be controlling the valley. Therefore, once again driven by a belief that India will not resolutely respond, the Chinese mounted an attack and took the lives of twenty army men. They might have believed that India will censor the loss of lives and bury it deep down, much like the Chinese normally do. India not only boldly announced the deaths but promptly gave a free hand to the army to respond in a befitting manner. Revelations of deaths of Chinese soldiers by the US intel find no mention in the Chinese media.
The world responded resolutely, the US releasing details severely embarrassing China, France, Japan and Australia warning China of any misadventure. The Chinese show of might in the South China seas are now neutralized with two US carriers patrolling in the region. China attempts to instigate Nepal in addition to Pakistan will not bear fruit either. I wrote soon after Nepalese PM Oli’s reckless and suicidal mission to include crucial Indian territories as their own and include it in their flag that his days will be numbered. Not that India has to intervene, but a brewing political and civil unrest will unseat him, which is happening right now.
The huge Chinese balloon has been pricked for good. The Chinese know now that confronting India could mean a confrontation with the largest economies turning China into another pariah and a pauper-state quickly.
In India, as usual, a section was jubilant as Nepal’s parliament changed the constitution and changed their flags to include Kalapani area. Nepal can never sustain a closure of the border with India. The communist influence will wane away soon. I wrote of internal and political strife that will bring the Chinese puppet Oli down. It could happen very shortly.
A few opposition leaders mocked the PM over his visit and meeting the injured soldiers at Ladakh. They doubted the presence of any hospital, believed that the injured soldiers were actors and paraded their party men, claiming that the Chinese have overtaken Ladakh. Someone laughably questioned as to how the Indian PM could have left Delhi at sea level to reach oxygen-scarce heights above 11000 feet without mandatory acclimatization and promptly deciding the whole thing as a hoax. Some others claimed that the Indian PM is cashing on boosting his image by going to Ladakh.
There cannot be a more pathetic display of non-application of mind. The envy at India’s square punch on China’s belligerent face is unacceptable for these people, simply because it has once again boosted India’s and Modi’s image worldwide. Sufferers!
Jai Hind
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
