What Does India Want From a Simultaneous Confrontation With Its Three Neighbors?

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has admitted that "large numbers" of Chinese troops have entered Indian territory from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

In an interview to a TV channel, he said that the border dispute was being discussed between the two (India and China) military personnel but no breakthrough had been achieved so far.

The Indian defense minister added that talks would be held on June 6 between the top officials of the two countries' armed forces.

The dispute between China and India in the Gulwan Valley area of ​​the Ladakh region began on May 5 when, according to Chinese media, Chinese troops stopped Indian troops from building a road in their area.

India has built a 255 km long road from Darbuk to Daulat Beg Oldi in the region for military movement.

The construction of this road has made it easier to reach the Gulwan Valley and it ends near the Karakoram Pass.

China considers the Gulwan Valley as its territory. Troops from both countries clashed near the LAC, north of Lake Pangong Su, in which several soldiers were injured by iron rods and sticks.

Since then, large numbers of Chinese troops have been in the region.

According to some reports, Chinese forces have also installed artillery and tanks in the area and have begun constructing fortified buildings near the lake. China says it owns the Gluan Valley and India is doing "illegal construction" there.

The United States has repeatedly criticized China in this regard, while India has announced its direct support. India has also deployed a large number of troops in the affected area. The situation on the border is tense and no country has yet signaled its withdrawal.

Some analysts believe that China is under tremendous pressure from the international community, especially the United States, following the outbreak of the Corona epidemic and is focusing on border issues to get out of it.

Some observers believe that China was concerned about India's construction of roads and other military installations at key locations along its 3,500-kilometer border with India.

Following the outbreak of the Corona epidemic, China is particularly angry over measures taken at the official level in India to create an anti-China atmosphere and to attract foreign investors to invest in India instead of China.

The United States has repeatedly criticized China in this regard, while announcing India's direct support. China has already warned India not to get involved in its confrontation with the United States. According to observers, this could also be the cause of the current border dispute between the two countries.

Andrani Bagchi, an analyst with the Times of India, says there are differences and clashes between China and India in many parts of the LAC, but the issue of the Gulwan Valley is more complicated because of the region in which Chinese troops have entered. Never come before

"Chinese troops are in large numbers at at least three locations in the Gulan Valley. I don't think they will return to their old position immediately after the June 6 talks because it will be a losing position for China. I think they will stay in the region for a long time. "

He said that in order to reduce tensions and to inform the people in their respective countries, it was possible for the two armies to find a way to retreat from their current positions, but expect a change in the actual position on the ground at the moment. not enough.'

Border dispute with Nepal

There have also been recent protests against India in Nepal. Nepal's parliament is currently debating a constitutional amendment that would allow the approval of a new map of Nepal, after which some border areas would be declared part of Nepal, which India claims as its territory. Is.

Tensions between Nepal and India erupted last month when Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a road near the Nepalese border in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Nepal says the road passes through Nepal.

Nepal's political parties say residents of areas India claims as its territory have been voting in Nepal's elections for decades, and Nepal has documents of ownership of the region.

Anger with India in Nepal's political circles was further heightened when the Chief of Army Staff of India stated that Nepal was entangling the land dispute with India at the behest of China.

India says Nepal is an old friend of India and the border dispute with it will be resolved through dialogue. But if Nepal's parliament approves the country's new map, which is expected, relations between the two countries could become even more bitter.

Speaking to the BBC, Dr Prakash Saran Mahat, leader of the opposition Nepali Congress in Nepal and former foreign minister, said that India had previously recognized the Kalapani border dispute but it had never led to a confrontation. This time the situation is complicated.

Nepal's political parties say residents of areas India claims as its territory have been voting in Nepal's elections for decades, and Nepal has documents of ownership of the region.

Anger with India in Nepal's political circles was further heightened when the Chief of Army Staff of India stated that Nepal was entangling the land dispute with India at the behest of China.

India says Nepal is an old friend of India and the border dispute with it will be resolved through dialogue. But if Nepal's parliament approves the country's new map, which is expected, relations between the two countries could become even more bitter.

Speaking to the BBC, Dr Prakash Saran Mahat, leader of the opposition Nepali Congress in Nepal and former foreign minister, said that India had previously recognized the Kalapani border dispute but it had never led to a confrontation. This time the situation is complicated.

"The issue is very sensitive in Nepal," he said. There is a consensus between the opposition and the government on the question that this land belongs to Nepal. We have historical and documentary evidence of our claim but the kind of statements coming from both sides are spoiling the atmosphere.

The Communist Party is in power in Nepal and current Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is considered close to the Chinese leadership. It is noteworthy that the government of Nepal has supported the new law of China related to Hong Kong.

India's relations with Pakistan

India's relations with its third neighbor, Pakistan, have long been strained. At a time when both countries are trying to stem the Corona epidemic, India has recently ordered two Pakistani High Commission officials to leave the country after suddenly accusing them of spying.

India is also blaming Pakistan for increasing extremist activities in Indian-administered Kashmir. Diplomatic relations between the two countries have already been curtailed, but recent events and statements have further strained them. Pakistan has been denying India's allegations.

Analyst Andrani Baghchi says relations with Pakistan are already strained and High Commission diplomats have been accused of spying several times before. So I don't interpret it as opening a new front. I think the atmosphere is already very tense. "

This is probably the first time that India has opened a front with its three neighbors at the same time. India is seeing a golden opportunity for itself in this era of global corona epidemic.

According to experts, India feels that the epidemic will weaken China and other countries economically and reduce their political influence, while India will become economically self-sufficient and strong. Will emerge

India's current strategy is based on the same 'Modi Doctrine of Golden Opportunity'.

The number of corona patients in India is now increasing rapidly. India has overtaken France to become the seventh most affected country in the world in terms of number of patients.

India hopes that China will return to its old position in the Gulwan Valley due to its circumstances. Talks between senior military officials at the level of lieutenant general will be held on Saturday to break the deadlock over the border dispute.

If the Chinese troops return to their old position as expected by India, it will be a great military, political and psychological victory for India. For India, it is not just a border complex but a sign of the beginning of a long border confrontation with China.