Goliath vs Goliath

"The current situation on the border between China and India is generally stable, and the two sides are negotiating to resolve relevant border issues."

"In this context, the words, deeds and military deployments of relevant military and political leaders should help ease the situation and increase mutual trust between the two sides, not the other way around."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin

Xi Jinping, left, and Narendra Modi had previously played up a personal bond   Getty Images

"Having so many soldiers on either side is risky when border management protocols have broken down."

"Both sides are likely to patrol the disputed border aggressively."

"A small local incident could spiral out of control with unintended consequences."

Lieutenant-General D.S. Hooda, former Northern Army commander, India

Indian troops near the border with China   Getty Images

Chinese spokesmen for the government speak reasonably and always portray the Chinese Communist Party ruling Politburo as bearing no ill intentions whatever toward any other country. Peace always uppermost in Beijing's collective mind. Conflict or creating situations that might lead to misunderstandings not their way at all. The sterling quality of 'harmony', within China itself and between the government and its international counterparts represents the goal sought by Beijing.

 

A Beijing that cannot seem to fathom that its insatiable appetite for acquiring the world's natural resources; for excelling in technological advances, achieved in part by pirating advances and formulae and technologies from other international sources which China can then self-produce with a specific Chinese flair and application in proud ownership; a China that cannot abide the thought that its neighbours have an equal right to disputed territories; or that international waters and airspace are to be shared, is one that raises the hackles of those it constantly undercuts and outmanoeuvres.

 

The two nations, restless neighbours, each with immense billion-plus populations, powerhouses of potential in science, technology and academic excellence but with opposing political systems, have long been uneasy with each other's proximity and penchant toward rivalry. Invariably, however, it is China that becomes the aggressor in its hunger for control and possession.  Last summer was a testy one for China-India relations. Border skirmishes in the Himalaya over a tentative border saw India lose control over some 300 square kilometres along the disputed mountain terrain.

 

China's intentions are oblique until they become evidently transparent. The People's Liberation Army brought in forces from Tibet to the Xinjiang Military Command, responsible for patrolling the disputed areas along the Himalayas. Fresh runway buildings, bombproof bunkers meant to house fighter jets and new airfields have appeared along the Tibetan disputed border. Long-range artillery, tanks, rocket regiments and twin-engine fighters have been added in the last few months.

 

Irrelevant to relations between the two countries. Whatever Beijing decides must be done within Chinese territory is of no business to its neighbours. All is well, the border undisturbed, there is no reason for India to leap to conclusions. Neighbours must trust one another's good intentions. The amassing of troops and arms? Negligible training exercises.

 

Indian soldiers on patrol near Leh, in the disputed frontier region of Ladakh   AFP

India, given its experiences with China both in the past and at present, thinks otherwise. It has brought in an additional 50,000 troops to the border; an obvious offensive military move against a neighbour more accustomed to acting out treacherous moves than relying on diplomatic niceties. India has moved its own troops and fighter jet squadrons to three areas along its border with China, to the point where there are now 200,000 Indian troops stationed on the border.

 

In the past, the military presence was directed toward blocking moves China might make; the present redeployment is set to give Indian commanders flexibility in options where they may attack and seize territory in China should it be seen to be necessary; a strategic ploy known as "offensive defence". Where helicopters are assigned to airlift soldiers from valley to valley, as well as artillery pieces like the M777 howitzer. These are not preparations taken lightly.

The recent diplomatic skirmishes representing military-diplomatic discussions with China have seen no progress reaching a return to the decades-old status quo so rudely interrupted by China's acquisitory challenges. The largest increase in troop levels have taken place at the northern region of Ladakh, where the two countries met in brief conflict on several occasions last year. Among India's transferred soldiers are some once involved in anti-terrorism operatons against Pakistan; newly deployed on the border.

 

 An Indian army convoy drives towards Leh, on a highway bordering China, on June 19, 2020 in Gagangir, India. As many as 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a "violent face-off" with Chinese troops on Tuesday in the Galwan Valley along the Himalayas. Chinese and Indian troops attacked each other with batons and rocks.  Photographer: Yawar Nazir/Getty Images AsiaPac

 

Henceforth, India will have greater troop numbers acclimatized to fight in the high-altitude Himalaya, reducing the number of troops stationed on India's western border with Pakistan. A fragile situation, to be sure. In the more populated area along the southern Tibetan plateau, soldiers with machine guns joined lightly armed paramilitary officers. Most of India's border forces were located in the far eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, where the1962 India-China war took place, French-produced Rafale fighters armed with long-range missiles are deployed in support of the boots on the ground.