It is an accepted wisdom in the modern world that until diplomatic options work, war should not become a strategy. Its reverse is also true. War bruises are good enough to send shivers down the battled enemy. This is the reason why China is reduced to expressing seething range over joint drill by India and the US.
China does not want India-US drill to go ahead
The Chinese administration has expressed strong disagreement with plan of India to conduct a military drill with the US. According to Chinese establishments, the joint military drill violates various agreements between India and China. They have cited the 1993 and 1996 agreements in this regard.
Moreover, this time, the Chinese choose their Defence Ministry to release such criticism about India. Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Chinese defence ministry said, “We firmly oppose any third party to meddle in the China-India border issue in any form”.
Meanwhile, citing the same official, Global Times, the CCP mouthpiece wrote, “According to the spirit of the relevant agreements signed between China and India in 1993 and 1996, the two sides are not allowed to conduct military exercises against each other in areas near the Line of Actual Control”
Chinese have gone bonkers
In the wake of Xi Jinping’s unpopularity, the Chinese administration seems to have gone into a state of perpetual neurosis. Nothing else explains their conclusion drawn from the 1993 and 1996 agreement. Both proposals are designed to maintain peace and tranquillity in the mutually identified zones.
Military mobilisation for the purpose of offence is prohibited but military drills are not. If anything, each side only has to give the other side prior notification of military exercise being planned in such zones.
Also Read: Alright! Let us Answer this Question First “Will there be an India China War?”
India is using the US to scare off China
But, honestly, China’s fear is justified, given the fact that India is hitting it where it hurts the most. It is not a hidden secret that the US and China are arch enemies in current times. In spite of not having much inclination towards American interest, India has been using America as a threat to the Chinese establishment.
For this purpose, India and America have signed multiple defence pacts. US’s unequivocal support to India in its anti-China drive is what has made China anxious.
Military drills are sending shivers down the spine
Their problem is exacerbated by the kind of military drills both countries are conducting. On the face of it, the drills look like preparation to counter the Chinese army.
In August this year, both countries participated in Exercise Vajra Prahar, 13th Edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercises. It was a special forces’ exercise conducted in higher than normal altitude of Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh. It is pertinent to note that a high percentage of Indian borders with China lie on high altitude, which include Galwan as well.
In their next exercise named Yudh Abhyas, both India and the US have taken the offence to the next level. The 2022 edition of Yudh Abhyas will be conducted in the Auli area of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. The place where this exercise will be held from October 18 to 31 is very close to the Chinese border. That’s the reason why China is worried.
India’s rebuttal
But, playing the role of a good neighbour, India has made an effort to pacify the Chinese. The External Affairs Ministry has said that the exercise is totally different.
Stating that China is violating agreements by unnecessarily meddling in India’s sovereign relations with the US, Arindam Bagchi, EAM spokesperson said, “I don’t understand the reference to third-party interference. India US exercise is totally different and I don’t know what colour has been given to that. It is targeted and a violation of agreements,”
Under Xi, China is on a literal decline. Their economy is in abyss and this is hurting their foreign policy too. By playing the Chinese aggression cards 25 years early, Xi Jinping committed a blunder. Now, even small countries like the Philippines won’t listen to it. Don’t know what makes them think that they will have any effect on India?
Support TFI:
Support us to strengthen the ‘Right’ ideology of cultural nationalism by purchasing the best quality garments from TFI-STORE.COM