CPC MUST ACCEPT LAC AS THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER FOR PEACE

Mukesh Devrari

In my opinion, it is futile to seek confrontation for few kilometres of land in this day and age on the grounds that hundreds of years ago or thousands of years ago it belonged to us, now it belongs to our neighbours, but we don’t accept it. China’s military may succeed in intruding at certain places, but it would not be possible for China to substantially alter the 3488-kilometre long boundary.

If CPC thinks it can change the LAC as per its imaginary borders with India military force, then it must be looking at the full-fledged attack on India which might result in the killing of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians on both sides. If the human lives are important than it is immaterial whether the widow lives in Shanghai or Mumbai. After much bloodshed, even if China succeeds in capturing Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Union Territory of Ladakh. Will it be worth it? Although CPC can go to any extent to achieve its objectives.

China has built enormous infrastructure on its side of LAC and India have no match for it either in terms of scale, investment and speed. But India is trying moderately to create border infrastructure means roads, bridges, helipads, airports for defence and civilian flights. The purpose of all this infrastructure is to put a physical mark on the territory that it belongs to India. And this infrastructure can also be used during the conflict across the de facto border.

So far CPC has refused to accept the ground realities. It is not ready to accept LAC as an international border which India might accept in the current circumstances. In an ideal situation, the LAC should be converted into the international border with the exchange of minor enclaves here and there. Without going into unnecessary details India and China can treat each-others minor claims on LAC with the sense of sympathy.

India and Bangladesh solved their border dispute through such minor exchange, it means India can no longer be demonized in Bangladesh and the biggest obstacle in the absolute peace is over. India and China can do the same. But China wants the territory controlled by India and are not ready to compromise on its aggressive position on territorial disputes. But if the boundary dispute resolves, China will be a bigger beneficiary. 

First, CCP ideologues also must understand India, beyond rhetoric, will not participate in military adventuring against China’s legitimate interests. But it reserves its right to establish good relations with the west and get the best deal for India, not out of any sense of fear of China, but out of the Gandhian ethos which has been reflected in the functioning of our democracy. Second, China’s companies will get unbridled access to expand in India’s vast market. It will convert many of China’s companies into truly global institutions.

India and China are different. India is not a multinational company run by a few for-profit, unlike China. It is at best a collective committed to the principles of global peace and harmony, at the same time committed to protecting its existing boundaries however others might perceive it. India is unlikely to hand over any territory to anyone, neither to Islamic zealots of Pakistan nor to the ideologues of CPC to assuage their thirst for territorial expansion.

BJP’s emergence and few of its policies might be a minor setback to this legacy but no individual or political party can change the basis of harmony, peace, fraternity and other democratic values which are at the core of the idea of India.

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