1. What are the sources of Chinese conduct in Ladakh today? China today is global power imbued with a strong sense of nationalism, an obstinate sense of righteousness (without morality) about its whole political, military and economic system..
2. It sees a world stage, particularly an Asian stage that is devoid of a strong American presence or sustained commitment to check Chinese adventurism or expansionism whether on sea or land as existed until recent years: this oxygenates China..
3. China is now poised to deploy its military and economic strengths to advance its national interest on multiple fronts in a naked and unhindered way -and its state capacity under XiJinping has been revved up and given the 'go' to act thus ..
4. To Chinese nationalism is added vaulting ambition to mold the world order in China's own image: a global order with Chinese characteristics where democracy and liberal values are of little value as avenues for human development and advancement.
5. Accompanying this is to turn the screws on Chinese neighbours with whom China has unsolved territorial problems whether on sea or land and also to push and shove those who are strengthening their own defenses adjacent to their borders or lines of actual control with China..
6. 38,000 sq kms of Ladakhi territory is now under Chinese occupation which is the area between our claim line and the so-called Chinese claim line which is the frontier shown on their maps..
7. Largely, the Chinese claim line corresponds to the LAC in this sector. But it has not been ever defined in clear and explicit terms- like a moving finger writing and moving on..in 1956 there was one claim line of China, in 1959/60 there was another and after 1962 another.
8. Some would call it a "sly mockery" of all established tenets of international boundary management or maintenance of peace and tranquility- today the Chinese conduct displays such traits uninhibitedly..
9. The current situation in Ladakh is, therefore, a display of Chinese unruliness and complete readiness to advance their interests against the the grain of international law, codes of conduct and diplomatic negotiations - they think their sun has risen and will not set now...
10. India they feel should be taught a further lesson - for sticking to its guns as far as claims on the border with China are concerned, no 'give' on the McMahon Line, post-Aug 2019 changes in Kashmir, coziness with the United States, & display of anti-China economic nationalism.
11. But Chinese must realize they can't do a George Floyd on India, no knee to our neck will work. The attempt is to tighten squeeze on India through PoK (all the PLA presence there) and now in Ladakh: really gaming the two-front theory &of course titillating the rest of SouthAsia..
12. India China War is no sane option as we battle a virus but the threat from China is very near and real. There is every need to hold ground, calmly and resolutely. We shall not be moved. Both our supporters and detractors will draw conclusions about our resilience from this episode. 13. In short this has enormous ramifications for our global standing and regional equilibrium.
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