{"id":152408,"date":"2021-04-02T13:11:38","date_gmt":"2021-04-02T07:41:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indialegallive.com\/?p=152408"},"modified":"2021-04-02T15:12:52","modified_gmt":"2021-04-02T09:42:52","slug":"china-india-territory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indialegallive.com\/column-news\/china-india-territory\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking on Chinese Aggression"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
By Praful Bakshi <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is indeed an undeniable strategic fact that any military weakness of a country will be exploited by its neighbour sooner or later, in the form of economic impediments created,\u00a0or occupation of geographical territories. This statement was realised by India more than once in its dealings with China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The recent tension on the Ladakh front is an apt example of this. Hence, we realise now to our utter discomfort that from 1959, China is in possession of close to 42,000 sqkm of our land and is in a serious quest to grab huge territory in Arunachal and more in Galwan, Daulat Beg Oldie and other places. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The one redeeming feature in the history of our border skirmishes with China is that for the first time, it has tasted the aggressive side of our military in Ladakh and felt the need to come to the negotiating table, asking its ally Pakistan to do the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, in spite of this, China continues to play its game of aggression in the South China Sea and the world is watching tensely as, like Nazi Germany, it continues its expansion. Serious objections have been raised by Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam and Brunei to China\u2019s extra-territorial occupational activities. It is not only posing hindrances in sea trade routes of the countries in South China Sea, but creating its own artificial islands, claiming exclusive territorial rights over them, right from Spratly Islands to the Maldives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As per modest estimates, $3.38 trillion worth of global trade, which is one-third of the entire world trade, passes through South China Sea every year. For China, this region is very important as 80% of its energy imports and 40% of its entire trade passes through this Sea. It has also started laying claims to Spratly Islands, Parcel Islands, Scarborough Shoal and crucial points in the Gulf of Tonkin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The aggrieved states naturally demand freedom to their right to exploit the oil and natural resources of these vast sea areas besides gaining fishing rights and navigation without any hindrances from China. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To make matters worse, since 2013, China has resorted to island building in the Spratly and Parcel Island region. But let us not forget that for the last few centuries, a number of countries have claimed land or built artificial islands, but for non-aggressive and peaceful purposes only. Vietnam and Philippines started doing this before China. But China started military and weapons build-up in these island areas such as runways for military aircraft, missile launch stations and warship and submarine docking harbours. Thus, it has denied the use of these islands to other countries, posing a serious threat to the innocent sea faring and shipping activities of other nations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The world community, supported by the US, has taken the matter very seriously and a large number of powerful countries have vehemently objected to these Chinese bullying tactics and sailed in their warships. America has sailed in two nuclear aircraft carriers, Nimitz and Ronald Regan, along with its squadron of warships and nuclear submarines. The UK has sailed in the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and the accompanying squadron of warships and India had sent four warships earlier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The annual Malabar Trilateral Naval exercise between the US, Japan and India, which began in 1992, should be seen in this context. These joint exercises, their tactics, equipment and fighting doctrine are conducted keeping China in mind mostly. Singapore and Australia have been past non-permanent participants. In June 2020, Australia became a permanent member and all the four nations participated militarily. It is very clear that due to the rising threat from China in this region, this strategic step has been taken. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This annual naval exercise includes various activities such as fighter combat operations with aircraft taking off from carriers, which may include maritime interdiction and anti-submarine warfare. Then there is diving for salvage operations, amphibious operations, anti-piracy operations and cross-deck helicopter landing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, by 2007, it was quite evident that China, riding the wave of military and economic development, had started imposing itself on neighbours\u2019 maritime interests. Hence, a dialogue called the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue\u00a0was initiated by Prime Minister M Shinzo Abe of Japan with the support of Vice-President Dick Cheney of the US, PM John Howard of Australia and Indian PM Manmohan Singh.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n