India-China Relations

[youngindian]

China uneasy about India's rise: Think-tank

Thursday, September 17, 2009 23:27 IST

New York: A United States think-tank has said that China's recent aggression along the Indian border is a direct result of Beijing's ''nervousness over India's rise"."It's something that they have to deal with, that perhaps 10 to 15 years ago they didn't believe was something that was necessary to focus on," said Lisa Curtis of the Heritage Foundation.

"We saw this when they to tried scuttle, at the last minute, the civil nuclear deal [with the United States] at the Nuclear Supplier Group meeting last year. It was a sort of indication that China is not completely comfortable with India's rise on the world stage," said Curtis.
Recently, two soldiers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) were reportedly injured in firing from across the border on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh.

India denied that two of its border guards were injured in the firing by Chinese forces.
Curtis said both sides were mutually mistrustful of each other on the border issue.

"The border issue has lingered for long. Both sides created mistrust. Perhaps since China is dealing with its internal issue, it has not been interested in completely resolving the border issue. Neither side is interested in conflict. But I do not see negotiations moving forward either," Curtis added.

India and China fought a short war in 1962 and, despite burgeoning trade in recent years, mistrust remains.

China uneasy about India's rise: Think-tank - dnaindia.com

 

[RPK]

China must respect India's sovereignty: Krishna - India - NEWS - The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, external affairs minister S M Krishna has said integrity of country's
sovereignty will certainly have to be respected by China.

The minister said that both India and China are "mature" and "powerful" neighbours who needs to have trust and faith in each other.

Asked about China's objection to Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Arunachal Pradesh in November and its efforts to stop Asian Development Bank from funding Indian projects in the state, Krishna said India's stand is very clear "Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India".

China has territorial claim over Arunachal Pradesh and its hackles are raised every time the Dalai Lama wants to visit that state.

"China has its own perception. India has a very clear perception about Arunachal Pradesh. And the integrity of India's sovereignty will certainly have to be respected," he said in an interview to a TV channel.

Seeking to allay concerns over the Chinese incursions, the minister said "India's borders are safe" and "Indian armed forces are capable of defending its frontiers."

Pointing out that there were "issues and differences" between India and China over the boundary issue, Krishna said there was a mechanism in place to address such matters and hoped that it will be settled amicably.

 

[RPK]

Chinese incursions seen as 'pinpricks'- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

NEW DELHI: The recent incursions by China’s People’s Liberation Army into Indian territory are not being viewed with too much concern by security
agencies, which see them as ‘pinpricks’ by China to assert its presence in areas such as Arunachal Pradesh and not a precursor to any military confrontation.

Also, even as Chinese transgressions beyond LAC are nothing new, their higher frequency of late is possibly an outcome of the facilitated troop movement on the other side due to the strong infrastructure, particularly the excellent road network, that has come up in the Chinese border areas.

This assessment was shared by the Central security establishment with state police chiefs on the concluding day of DGP/IGPs meet here on Thursday. The police heads were told that the higher frequency of Chinese transgressions into the Indian side were not surprising as better road and other linkages on their side meant stronger presence and easier movement for Chinese troops.

Though senior security officials, in their briefing to DGPs conference, sought an alert on the Sino-Indian border, they did clarify that the agencies were not seeing transgressions blowing up into a military confrontation. The assessment stems from the fact that China aims to overtake the US as a global leader by 2050 and would not like to be slowed down by a war-like situation. The incursions, the security bosses explained, were also to establish China’s dominance in South Asia.

Interestingly, though MEA is keen on playing down the transgressions as routine, a section of the security establishment is getting restless over such a response as it strongly feels that ignoring frequent incursions into its territory would only embolden the neighbour to get more aggressive.

Though a meeting of the China study group was to be held on Thursday to discuss the recent Chinese misadventures on the border, it was called off at the eleventh hour to beat the media hype generated by the rising incursions by PLA troops. The meeting will now be held at a later date, hopefully away from the media glare.

For now, the dominant view in the government is to focus its energies on strengthening the infrastructure on our side of the Sino-Indian border. This will not only fortify our defences but also help us establish our claim over the disputed border areas developed by us, a senior Union government official told ET.


The police chiefs were also briefed by the R&AW experts on the continuing threat from Pakistan-based terrorists outfits, particularly the Lashkar e Toiba (LeT). A presentation explained how terror outfits such as Al-Qaeda, LeT and Jaish e Mohammed, etc, were working in tandem and making use of each other’s network to carry forward their subversive agenda. India, the security agencies warned, was particularly vulnerable as LeT has built a huge network with local Indian elements, including organisations like Simi and Indian Mujahideen, to spread its tentacles far and wide.

The police chiefs were warned that banned outfits like Simi and even IM were reinventing themselves by taking on different nomenclatures. Some of the ex-Simi cadres were now part of the newly-founded political formations. The states were told to keep an eye on all such re-invented fundamentalist groups that may be linked with LeT or other terrorist groups. Particular attention must be given to prevent communal tension to linger in sensitive areas as it may serve as a breeding ground for prospective LeT sympathisers, the DGPs were told.

The Centre, according to sources, is particularly concerned about the LeT strengthening their local linkages in Maharashtra and Gujarat, given the more frequent communal outbreaks there, and has asked the DGPs to ensure that a major communal situation was averted.

 

[RPK]

Booming China-India ties strained by border tension

New Delhi: Anger over troop deployments, reports of border incursions, and a high-pitched media debate have reignited strains between China and India over long-festering border disputes in the Himalayas.

The details of whether boots actually crossed borders are murky, but experts in both countries agree that tensions have risen, highlighting the fragility of relations between the giant neighbours jostling for dominance.


The two Asian powers have disputed their 3,500 km (2,200 mile) border since a 1962 war. In that war China seized much of the Himalayan high ground, worrying India which traditionally sees the mountain range as a strategic buffer against invaders.

Despite decades of mistrust, trade is booming and China is now India's biggest trade partner. The value of bilateral deals is expected to pass USD 60 billion next year, a 30-fold increase since 2000, raising the stakes in maintaining peace.

While a new war is very unlikely, the unsettled border between the world's two most populous countries remains the biggest single impediment to better relations.

There have been 13 rounds of largely fruitless talks in recent years.

"The temperature on the border is rising," said former Indian foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal. "The situation is disturbing political circles."

China has upgraded roads on its side of the border while India has boosted troop numbers on its more challenging terrain.

Beijing tried to block a USD 60 million Asian Development Bank loan sought by India for development in one contested area, and has protested activities of exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama, who is based in India.

And in India, as the summer drew to a close, there were almost daily media reports of border incursions by China, presented as a sign China is growing more assertive.

Brahma Chellaney, professor at the New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research, says Chinese cross-border forays nearly doubled from 140 in 2006 to 270 in 2008 and have kept that level in 2009.

"The situation is now hotter than the Pakistan border," he said.

China criticises India media

China has not directly commented on the allegations, saying only that it sticks to an agreement to "safeguard peace and tranquility", but Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Jiang Yu did obliquely accuse Indian media of stirring up tensions.

"I have noted that some Indian media are releasing inaccurate information; I wonder what their aim is?" she said.

Cheng Ruisheng, former ambassador to India and now adviser to the Chinese government on relations with its neighbour, told Reuters there were no incursions.

"China is dealing with so many things, it has no idea of having any kind of military conflict with India," he said.

Taylor Fravel, a specialist in China's border and security issues at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said that even if the military are reporting border crossings, an apparent incursion can sometimes be a matter of perception.

"What one side views as a patrol along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), another side views as a violation, and vice versa."

Chinese experts say increasing tensions have been fuelled by Indian fears and nationalism rather than aggression from Beijing.

"I think that the immediate cause is that the Indian armed forces increased around the border, and this can easily increase the mutual suspicion," said Shi Yinhong, professor of international relations at Beijing's Renmin University.

Delhi has officially denied the reports of border violations, and like Beijing, has little to gain from friction.

"Our borders are secure and it serves no purpose to create excessive alarm," said Foreign Minister S.M Krishna. With the two countries trading in everything from high-tech to steel, ties couldn't be better, according to one expert.

"China-India relations are probably the best in 45 years," said Siddharth Varadarajan, Strategic Affairs Editor of the Hindu newspaper.

Leaks

Some analysts say the news of incursions reflects leaks by an Indian military worried about the Chinese army's growing mobility and strength in the border areas. India lags China both in terms of infrastructure work and military strength.

To counter this, India is raising two new army divisions, some 30,000 soldiers, for deployment in Arunachal Pradesh. It is also beefing up air defences in the region.

The Indian buildup of troops on the one hand and beefed-up border patrols and roads by China on the other may be creating a cycle of mistrust that could undermine years of diplomatic work.

"If you ask me what is the major problem between China and India, it is neither the border question, nor the Tibet question -- it is the lack of mutual trust," said former ambassador Cheng.

 

[RPK]

PIB Press Release

IAF Aircraft Lands Successfully at Nyoma

In a significant move by the Indian Air Force, an AN-32 aircraft landed at Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at 0625 hrs today. Group Captain SC Chafekar touched down on the Nyoma airstrip located at an altitude of 13,300 feet with Air Marshal NAK Browne, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command and Lieutenant General PC Bharadwaj, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command on board.

Though helicopters have been landing at this ALG, this is for the first time that a fixed wing aircraft has landed at the compacted airstrip of Nyoma, located 23 kms from the LAC.

After deliberating on all aspects and carrying out aerial and ground reccees, it was concluded that Nyoma could be developed for fixed wing operations as well. The herculean task of developing the ALG to the standards required for fixed wing operations was undertaken by the Engineer Regiments of 14 Corps. The successful landing of a fixed wing aircraft at Nyoma marks the culmination of joint effort by the IAF and Indian Army to enable the IAF to operate in the inhospitable terrain of Leh-Ladakh region in support of the Army.

Joint development of Nyoma braving the extremely difficult working conditions and hostile weather is yet another step towards enhanced jointmanship between the two services.

Nyoma has been developed with an aim to connect the remote areas of Ladakh region to the mainland. This would also ensure that movements in the area continue when the road traffic gets affected, during the harsh winters besides enabling improved communication network in the region, facilitating economical ferrying of supplies as well as promotion of tourism to the general area.

The landing comes just fifteen months after an AN-32 landed at Daulat-Beg-Oldie (DBO), the highest airfield in the world situated at an altitude of 16,200 feet.

 

[RPK]

Chinese envoy meets MEA officials

Amid media reports of rising tensions between New Delhi and Beijing, Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan met officials of Ministry of External Affairs in South Block on Thursday, sources have said.

The Chinese Ambassador reportedly sought the meeting and no demarche or summon was issued by the Indian Foreign Ministry.

Highly placed sources maintained that the meeting was a “Routine call” and it had nothing to do with the recent media reports of Chinese incursions and Dalai Lama’s proposed visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

Ambassador Zhang reportedly met Joint Secretary (East Asia) Vijay Keshav Gokhale to discuss Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jeichi forthcoming visit to India.

When contacted Chinese Embassy officials did not divulge the details of the meeting and neither confirmed that any such meeting had taken place.

Both Indian and Chinese officials maintained that there is no escalation of tension on the border, and alleged media for playing up the issue.

Chinese Ambassador met MEA official on day when a proposed meeting of the Chinese Working Group under the leadership of the National Security was reportedly called off

 

[Pintu]

Army Chief's comment on intrusion:

Link of the Zee News report:

After PM, Army Chief too plays down Chinese incursions

Regards

 

[Pintu]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/290938_Situation-on-Sino-India-border-not-alarming---India

Situation on Sino-India border not alarming : India

STAFF WRITER 19:14 HRS IST

New Delhi, Sep 19 (PTI) Playing down reports of recent Chinese incursions, India today said the situation was not "alarming" and that both countries were keen to maintain peace and tranquility on the border.

National Security Advisor M K Narayanan cautioned in a television interview that media "hype" could lead to "unwarranted incident or accident" that could create problems with the neighbour which should be avoided.

He said there was "hardly any increase" in the number of incursions and "the situation is not alarming".

In Chennai, Army Chief Deepak Kapoor spoke in a similar vein. "There is no cause for worry or concern", he said.

"The Prime Minister has made a statement yesterday that there has not been any more incursions or transgressions as compared to last year. They are almost at the same level," he said asking the media not to over hype the matter.

 

[Pintu]

Chinese incursion same as last year, don't worry: Army chief- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

Chinese incursion same as last year, don't worry: Army chief
19 Sep 2009, 1814 hrs IST, IANS

CHENNAI: A day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh played down reports of increasing Chinese incursions along the border, Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor Saturday also said there has been no increase in infiltration.

"There has not been any more incursions or transgressions. As compared to last year, they are almost at the same level. So there is no cause for worry or concern. I request the media to retrain and not overplay," Kapoor told reporters here.

Some recent media reports had indicated that there was increasing infiltration and firing from Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control that separates the two countries.

Talking to reporters at an Iftar party at his residence the prime minister had Friday stressed that there was no reason for concern as there are no inputs to suggest anything serious happening along the border.

Manmohan Singh had also said he was in contact with Chinese authorities.

 

[youngindian]

India of 2009 is not India of 1962: NSA Narayanan

September 19, 2009

Playing down reports of recent Chinese incursions, India on Saturday said the situation was not 'alarming' and that both countries were keen to maintain peace and tranquility on the border.

National Security Advisor M K Narayanan cautioned in a television interview that media 'hype' could lead to 'unwarranted incident or accident' that could create problems with the neighbour, which should be avoided.

He said there was 'hardly any increase' in the number of incursions and 'the situation is not alarming'.

In Chennai, Army Chief Deepak Kapoor spoke in a similar vein.

"There is no cause for worry or concern," he said.

"Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh [ Images ]) has made a statement on Friday that there has not been any more incursions or transgressions as compared to last year. They are almost at the same level," he said, asking the media not to over hype the matter.

Dr Singh, on Friday, appeared to play down reports of Chinese incursions and said was he in touch with the highest levels in China.

In Istanbul, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna [ Images ] said it was in the larger interest of both India and China to settle the boundary issue so that peace and tranquility is maintained on the Indo-China borders.

Asked about the Chinese incursions, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao [ Images ] said in Delhi [ Images ], "As far as this question is concerned we remain in constant touch with China on all issues of bilateral interest and our relationship has matured over the years which is multi-dimensional."

The leadership of both countries are in contact and 'the communication remains at all times', the Foreign Secretary told media persons.

She said contrary to public perception, the situation along the LAC has been "peaceful and tranquil".

To a question, she said no meeting has been planned between Dr Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh next week.

On incursions, she also said there has been a media "hype" and "intensification" of volume in reporting in the media on the issue.
"But on the basis of ground realities, my appreciation of the situation is that there is no significant increase in incursions along the LAC on all borders with China," she said.

In his interview on CNN-IBN, Narayanan disagreed that China was trying to put pressure saying 'India of 2009 is not (India) of 1962'.

He said both nations are keen to maintain peace and tranquility on the borders.

India of 2009 is not India of 1962: NSA Narayanan: Rediff.com news

 

[IBRIS]

YouTube - Tension over India-China border - 15 Sep 09

 

[tarunraju]

If there is a war between India and China. The US will supply a lot of ammunition and weapon systems to India covertly. Monetary support too.

What will the US give us? Chinese money?

Let's be realistic, the Chinese are itching to go to war. Its rise is as "peaceful" as its beliefs in democracy. It has always been a country that believes in war. For them "political power grows out of the barrel of the gun." We have to live with it, and try to contain the problem. To us, the Chinese are what the Huns were to the Chinese a long time ago. Nobody, I say again, nobody is with us on this issue.

If india really want peaceful coexistence,why indian gvt. support the Tibet separatists?

There's a difference between political support and political asylum. If the Dalai clique had political support in India, we would not have recognised your claims to Tibet in the first place.

 

[kickok1975]

I'm tired of these comments. There is a no prospect of war between these two nations. Let me repeat, no war is going to happen unless goveronments are out of their mind. They are not stupid. There are much bigger bialteral interest than war we can gain by living peacefully.

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

Media asked not to ‘overplay’ China border incidents​

New Delhi: A day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told journalists that media reports were painting an inaccurate picture of the conditions along the India-China border, the government moved swiftly to scotch swirling rumours about military incursions, shooting incidents and even an imminent conflict along the Line of Actual Control. “The Prime Minister has just made a statement that there has not been any more incursions or transgressions as compared to last year. They are at the same level. So there is no cause of worry or concern,” Chief of the Army Staff Deepak Kapoor told journalists at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai on Saturday.

And, in an indication of how seriously the government is taking the scare-mongering, the Home Ministry has decided to file an FIR against the two reporters of The Times of India who filed a story claiming Indian soldiers were injured in firing by the Chinese. The story, ‘Two ITBP jawans injured in China border firing,’ was published as a lead in that newspaper on September 15, leading to official denials by the Foreign Ministries of both countries. “We have taken this story very seriously. We are going ahead with our decision to take criminal action against the two reporters and we will soon file an FIR. They have quoted some highly placed intelligence source in their story. Let them appear before the court and tell who is this source who gave them information,” top sources in the Home Ministry said.

Link

 

[Pintu]

Indian forces capable of defending borders: Krishna- Hindustan Times

Indian forces capable of defending borders: Krishna

Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi, September 17, 2009

First Published: 20:30 IST(17/9/2009)
Last Updated: 20:39 IST(17/9/2009

Amid concerns over reported Chinese border violations, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Thursday said Indian armed forces were capable of defending the country's frontiers.

"India's borders are safe. Indian armed forces are capable of defending its frontiers," Krishna told IBN7 news channel.

Krishna stressed that as "mature" and "powerful" neighbours, India and China should respect each other. But the "integrity of India's sovereignty will certainly have to be respected" and the "integrity of borders have to be safeguarded", he said in an interview.

India and China have held 13 rounds of talks to resolve their boundary dispute. But there has been little progress with both sides reiterating their stated positions.

Alluding to the border dispute between the two countries that led to war in 1962, Krishna hoped that the negotiations will continue and an amicable settlement will be found some day.

Krishna dismissed China's objections to the Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Arunachal Pradesh later this year, saying the Tibetan leader was "free to go anywhere in India".

"Arunachal Pradesh is a part of India and the Dalai Lama is free to go anywhere in India," said Krishna. "The only question is he is not expected to comment on political developments."

The Dalai Lama has sought the Indian government's permission to visit Tawang, a monastery town in Arunachal Pradesh, which is claimed by China.

The Tibetan leader plans to go there in November to inaugurate a hospital for which he had donated Rs 20 lakh ($40,000).

The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. His Tibetan government-in-exile is based in the Indian hill town of Dharamsala but it is not recognised by any country.

 

[purplemarco]

China on my mind | StratPost

The fortnight-long controversy over Chinese intrusions across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has brought out three issues. The first is the propensity for intrusions on both sides of the hazy frontier, the second, the absence of a coincident approach towards China within the Indian government and third, the deficiencies in the Indian defense of its eastern frontiers.

 

[Pintu]

The link of report from IBNLive.com:

China working on a military plan against India?

Regards

 

[natarajan]

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

Indian troops move to China border, Army says it is routine​

Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh): India has moved hundreds of troops to the Chinese border along the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, but an army officer said Sunday that this was a routine winter exercise. A news agency correspondent saw 60 to 70 trucks carrying soldiers proceeding towards the Chinese border in Tawang and nearby posts, snaking through a rough mountainous terrain at an altitude of over 14,000 feet. Army officials denied they were deploying extra soldiers in the forward posts. According to army commanders, the troop movement was part of "Operation Alert", a winter exercise that sees soldiers move into inhospitable border areas of Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast ahead of the bitter weather conditions that make the roads impassable due to heavy snowfall.

Link

 

[peacecracker]

When Will North East Gets Better Connectivity with main land India?This Will Trigger the Development of that region.