Too close for comfort: On India-China border row (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 3: Defense and Security 
Prelims level: 
Mains level: Security challenges and their management in border areas

Context: 

• Following Friday’s talks in Moscow between the Defence Ministers of India and China, the prospects of an imminentdiplomatic solution to the continuing stand-off along the LAC do not appear bright.

Unprecedented Development:

• The statements issued by the two sides have underlinedthe sharp differences in how New Delhi and Beijing have continued to view the unprecedenteddevelopments along the border since May.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh “categorically conveyed” India’s stand, emphasising that China’s actions “were in violation of the bilateral agreements”.
• He also expressed hope that both sides would be able to resolve the ongoing situation “peacefully through dialogue”.
• His Chinese counterpart, General Wei Fenghe, appeared to only reiteratethe stand conveyed by China in recent statements that it had no blame to bear for this summer’s developments.
• He said “the responsibility lies entirely with the Indian side”, while China “kept maximum restraint to prevent potential escalation”. He called on India to “immediately withdraw its troops”.
• He did, also, add that both sides should “stay committed to resolving the issue through dialogue and consultation” and “make joint efforts to meet each other halfway”.

Diplomacy:

• The External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said last week, diplomacy is the only way out of the crisis, and that can only happen “if both sides understand that it is in each of their best interests if the events of this summer are not repeated”.
• The problem, so far, has been a stark mismatch between China’s statements and the actions of its troops.
• Its consistent labelling of India as the aggressor this summer contradicts the reality that India has, since May, cededabout 1,000 square kilometres in Ladakh to Chinese control.
• If China’s diplomats have spoken repeatedly of the need to keep in mind “the big picture” of bilateral ties, the actions of its military on the ground have suggested an intent that is precisely the opposite.
• China have emphasized achieving tactical gains at the border over the broader strategic relationship.
• Until that calculus changes, India will have to be prepared to be tested along the border and to stand its ground over the long haul.
• India has signalled its intent to do so with the latest developments on August 29 in Chushul.
• If the statements following the Moscow meet did not exactly inspire confidence, both sides will have the chance to reassess the situation when Mr. Jaishankar will likely meet his counterpart, Wang Yi, at a meeting of SCO Foreign Ministers on September 10.
• Military talks can occasionally help to averta flare-up, but the two neighbours need to work toward a diplomatic solution to ensure undisturbed peace and quiet along the border.

Conclusion:

• India and China must lose no time in finding a diplomatic solution to their border disputes.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) Consider the following statements:

1. The government recently banned 118 more mobile applications, including the popular gaming app PUBG.
2. The decision to ban mobile apps taken under section 69A of the Information Technology Act and the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C