There have been repeated attempts to subvert democracy of our nation by Pakistan and China. India was poor and famished and we looked up at the US to help alleviate our hunger. The US helped then in the 60s but through the World Bank, which it dominated, we were made to yield several of our resources, including precious water of Indus River. We signed on the dotted lines in 1960 keeping 20% of the river waters and giving away 80% to Pakistan. We received PL 480 food assistance from the US then.
China was quietly preparing on their western front and was checking India’s might and response by sporadic infiltrations of their forces. The war of 62 that China won, and resulting in their occupation of the Aksai chin, broke the morale of India, which is struggling with want of a decisive policy on China.
We leaned towards the Soviets, while claiming to be ‘Non-aligned,’ pushing the Western powers away from us. Pakistan exploited the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the resultant war, supporting the US and becoming their cohort. Having been defeated and losing a prime segment of their country, East Pakistan, hurting India has been an important agenda for all those who mattered in Pakistan.
China had quietly moved up in the world economy and had become a potent force in the intervening years, boasting of a huge nuclear arsenal, member in the UNSC and a manufacturing hub for the US. They did not blink an eye, while occupying Tibet or taking away a portion of Karakoram Range from Pakistan, which belonged to India and intruding and claiming Arunachal as their territory! Our managers have flag meetings every time and sunk in their stupor of misperception, that cultural exchange and trade could ease the situation.
China owns Pakistan. They have invested nearly USD 50 Bn. The economic corridor is going to be a lifeline for China, both economically and militarily. Keeping India under pressure is the Chinese appeasement to their trusted Pakistani friends as a quid-pro-quo.
Uri was bold; the attack was on the Indian army base camp, with same ramifications like the attack on our Parliament and Pathankot. India is unable to retaliate, not because of Pakistan, but because of the ground realities that it is facing. On one end, its trusted ally, Putin of Russia is himself surrounded by the Nato warheads, China has comforted Pakistan on any aggression on their lands by India, the OIC has given their support to Pakistan, Iran wishes to co-operate with Pakistan and China in extending the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, extending it up to Chabbar port, being developed by India!
As far as Indus water is concerned, the river originates from Chinese held territory, belonging to India. The raging flow of the river, if tamed could result in the deluge of J & K. Notwithstanding this the treaty heavily disfavoring India should be revisited and reworked.
Though a war is never a lasting solution, as it will hurt the economy for a long run for any country, we have limited options. India unfortunately does not have several friends, save perhaps Japan at this moment to support us. Europe, the US and Britain would all be spectators to rush in for the rebuilding of the destroyed economy of our nation, thereby propping up their own interests.
Neither is tolerance to the present laughable levels is good, when terrorists walk in as they feel and cause mayhem each time. If we have the generals, a committed army and citizens, this could be the right time to enforce our stand, tough though it could be! I only wish and pray that our own countrymen rally behind the government, unlike the main opposition party, which is craftily indulging in raising a bogey of fear against China, and against revisiting the water treaty. What a shame!
Sampath Kumar
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