Vikrant Shekhawat : Dec 03, 2024, 07:20 PM
India-China Relation: The India-China border dispute has long been a complex issue, often becoming the center of regional and global attention. But in recent years, India has moved in a positive direction by successfully handling this challenge with its firm leadership, diplomatic effort and military preparedness. Especially since 2020, when the situation in eastern Ladakh was extremely tense, India forced China to retreat.The agreement to end the tension in Depsang and Demchok on 21 October 2024 wrote a new chapter in the relations between the two countries. There were five major reasons behind India's success, which are as follows:1. Strengthening military power and infrastructureAfter the 2020 Galwan conflict, India significantly increased its military preparedness. Training for high-altitude warfare, deployment of state-of-the-art weapons, and solid strategic steps enabled the Indian Army to face every challenge.Also, large-scale investments were made in infrastructure on the border. Projects like the Umlingla Pass Road, Atal Tunnel, and Sela Tunnel facilitated military supplies and transportation. These developments not only gave India a strategic edge but also signaled that India is fully prepared to defend its regional interests.2. Victory of diplomatic effortsIndia resorted to diplomacy to resolve the dispute. 21 military commander-level meetings and 17 meetings of the WMCC (Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination) since 2020 are proof that India prioritized dialogue.India's Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Defense Minister met Chinese counterparts several times to ensure that the path of dialogue remained open. It is a result of India's restraint and firmness that China had to reconsider its aggressive attitude.3. Firm stand on clear principlesIndia clarified three key principles:Respect for LAC: Both sides have to follow the Line of Actual Control.Unilateral change unacceptable: Any attempt to change the status quo on the border will not be accepted.Adherence to old agreements: Respect for the agreements made in the past is mandatory.India refused to make any kind of compromise on these principles. This clear stance indicated to China that India will now keep its position strong under all circumstances.4. A befitting reply to actionsAfter the Galwan conflict, India responded to China in its own language. The Indian Army adopted the strategy of mirror deployment, which made China realize that its aggression would not yield any benefit.The bold and firm response of Indian soldiers ensured that China did not get any kind of military success. Apart from this, India further strengthened its position by using drones and satellite technology to monitor the border.5. India's strength on the global stageIndia mobilized international support to resolve the dispute. China's aggressive attitude was criticized on forums like BRICS and G-20.Diplomatic talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping also played an important role in resolving the dispute. India ensured that the global community understood and supported its position.India's message to the worldIndia has given the message that it is not only capable of protecting its borders, but is also ready to face any challenge. This success of India shows that even complex disputes can be resolved through peace and diplomacyIndia also made it clear that its sovereignty and integrity are paramount. This success has established India as a responsible and strong global leader.This episode is an example of India's firmness and diplomatic skills, which showed how complex challenges can be resolved with the help of restraint, courage and strategy.