विस्तारवाद नहीं विकासवाद: Modi takes a tough stand, indirectly tells to choose between युद्ध या बुद्ध,

विस्तारवाद नहीं विकासवाद: Modi told China though indirectly to choose between 

BY Vijay Thakur, Special Representative, The Statesman, vijaythakurx@gmail.com

Though I was very disappointed on Prime Minister's sixth address to the nation and called it "much ado about nothing". But today he apparently corrected himself and did what was really needed to stand with security forces and give them a morale boost.

He categorically said विस्तारवाद नहीं विकासवाद.. an indirect message to China and to convey the world India wants peace and development and at the same time would not tolerate the expansionist attitude of China

1) He rightly pointed out that this is not the time for "expansionist" attitude. विस्तारवाद (expansionism) would only lead to destruction and would not help any country. 

2) He said it is the right time to go for development and the world is looking for only development..

3) But at the same time, he clarified that peace talks cannot be done without being strong. India is always for peace but at the same time, it is quite capable to deal with any eventualities.

4) This is not only a message to China But to the entire world that India is no 1962 India, it cannot tolerate any nonsense.

Prime Minister visited Ladakh without announcing media. It surprised many, even in the political circles were surprised at the move. At a time when the two countries are at the point of the war, no Country head prefers to go to the HOT Point. PM Modi went there and told them indirectly to choose between युद्ध या बुद्ध (war or peace). The message was loud and clear for China.

He interacted with Indian soldiers posted there at the remote border outposts. Modi also met with the soldiers who were injured in June 15 violent face-off with China. Interacting with the soldiers in a military hospital in Leh, PM Modi said they gave a befitting reply to the Chinese. PM Modi told them their bravery will be a source of inspiration for times to come. "The Bravehearts who left us, have not gone without a reason. Together, you all also gave a befitting reply (karara jawab bhi diya hai)," he said.

The move caught most by surprise as it came at a time when India and China are embroiled in a months-long standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

 

PM Modi's visit came nearly a fortnight after 20 Indian soldiers, including a Colonel-rank officer, were killed in a violent face-off with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley. While China also suffered casualties in the faceoff, it is yet to release details. The Prime Minister's visit to Leh comes at a time when relations with China are severely strained and is being seen as one aimed at sending a strong message to China, as well an attempt to boost the morale of the Indian forces posted in the tough terrain.

Earlier, Defence Minister Rajanth Singh was scheduled to visit Leh and interact with the troops, along with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Indian Army chief Gen MM Naravane. However, in a last-minute change of plans, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself decided to meet the troops.

Indo-China Skirmishes at Galwan (2020)

The May-June 2020 China–India skirmish at Galway valley and at a few more places along Indo-China Border is part of an ongoing military a standoff between the two largest nation of the world. Since 5 May 2020, Chinese and Indian troops have reportedly engaged in aggressive melee, face-offs and skirmishes at locations mainly Galwan, Pangong Lake along the disputed Line of Actual Control.

India has been accusing China of not defining LAC since 1962 war, It entered into an agreement with China in the nineties and promised no use of weapons at the LAC and told China to give its map on LAC, which it has never given so far. And this has become the bone of contention between the two nations. The recent melee fighting has been going on since May but on the intervening night of 15/16 June 2020, 20 Indian soldiers lost their life where as nearly 43 Chinese soldiers died in the skirmish.

India took a tough stand and reinforced the region with 12,000 additional workers, who assisted India’s Border Road Organisation (a Military the organization involved in developing border roads in India) developing Indian infrastructure

According to defence experts, the standoffs are Chinese pre-emptive measures in responding to the Darbuk-Shyok-DBO road in Ladakh. The Chinese have also extensively developed their infrastructure in these disputed border regions.

US President Trump offered to mediate between the two nations to bring peace, However, India and China have both maintained that there are enough bilateral mechanisms to resolve the situation through quiet diplomacy.

The tough stand was taken by India and the subsequent long interaction between India’s NSA (national security advisor) Ajit Doval with Chinese Defence Minister slightly cooled down the atmosphere and China agree to most of India’s demand.

Ends.