India-China : The Fingers Saga

In the Summer of 2020, when the Whole world was Dealing with the Once in a Century "Wuhan Virus" which started in a Wet market of China akin to the 'Spanish Flu' of the 20th Century, China and India engaged in a Series of Skirmishes Along the long Ind0-Tibetan Border. With Both sided having dug their heels prepared for a long standoff which shows no signs of subsiding anytime soon, the June 15th Incident where there were Casualties on both Sides, ensured tempers were high on Both sides, with both sides pointing Fingers on the other Side in both Military level Talks & Diplomatic Statements. While the whole pointing of Fingers is a normal exercise, let's take a look behind the reason for China`s Untenable Claims and its repeated Belligerence.

Tibet & its 5 Fingers 

In a Previous blog, we had seen how Tibet was under the Suzerainty of China but was a Buffer Frontier between British India and China and due to the ambiguous Simla Agreement of 1914 we never had a clear Boundary with Tibet. However China has had more Sinister Plans since 1940s always consider Tibet to be the Palm of China`s Western Arm and Ladakh, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan & Arunachal Pradesh as the Five Fingers.

Once Tibet was Annexed and gradually all countries including India & Britain accepted the Sovereignty in the 21st Century, China has rolled out its Evil designs gradually. As far as Ladakh goes China has been Chipping Inches of land gradually over the years due to a disputed and perception based Line of Actual Control(LAC), with both countries viewing it differently. the Mobilization and aggression shown in Galwan Valley, Hot Springs & Depsang Bulge only indicate what the intentions of a Imperialist China are. Even the May Skirmish at Naku La in Sikkim, where a Indian Captain was said to have given a Chinese Major a Bloody nose is a Major Issue and Sikkim was never considered a issue after exchange of maps in 2003. Even the Constant Intrusions of patrols along Siang District of Arunachal is an indication that Chinese have not given up its claims on the Erstwhile NEFA.

                                                                            Nepal is a Landlocked Country with major interdependence on India. However after the end of Monarchy and rise of the Communist Parties China has majorly wooed Nepal with Soft Loans, Corrupt deals & the Ideals of Communism. The Current PM has gone as far as starting a hitherto unknown Boundary issue with India and has blamed the Indian Strain of Wuhan Virus to be deadly and an allegation of India working behind the Scenes to topple him. we can only wish it is realpolitik in play and shall harm the Centuries of bond we share with the Nepalese who even serve in our Army in the decorated Gorkha Regiments. All this while however China has been changing the Flow of rivers in Tibet and encroaching land in Rasuwa District.

                                                                            Bhutan is a all weather friend of India and China has its eyes set on it, it is the only country apart from India with which China has an unsettled Border. The Doklam Crisis of 2017 was a prime example of China`s designs and India had to intervene. The Standoff has ended but the Chinese built up in Doklam Plateau has only Increased. China has now staked claim over Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, as a new front to test Bhutan`s resolve, who have responded strongly & rebutted the Untenable claim.

Now that the Palm is firmly in place with years of Brutal Suppression, Population Displacement along with settlement of large population of Han Chinese & kidnapping of the panchen Lama, the Five Fingers have to be in an position of eternal Vigilance against the Manipulative & deceptive Enemy.

The Fingers of Pangong Tso

Pangong Tso lake became a part of Indian Travel Enthusiasts itinerary overnight, thanks to the highly successful Movie 3 Idiots. It is a lake which is present in both India & Tibet, with India having sovereignty over 1/3rd of the Lake. The lake has Protrusions into the lake at 8 points known as the 8 fingers in Question at the lake.

Historically India has a LAC claim upto Finger 8 and usually patrolled over foot. China has a Overlapping Claim till Finger 2 and had laid a rough road till Finger 4 while we were busy dealing with the Pakistanis at Kargil, which has now been Black topped allowing them motorised Patrol. High Speed Boats are used by both sides to patrol the Waters.

                                                                                                Till now, both sides had patrols crashing into each other and small incidents both on the ground and in the water which where sorted out by the existing Mechanisms of Border Protocols signed by both Countries. However something changed after Ladakh became a UT under Indian Law, there were more skirmishes and Finally in May, there was a Major Skirmish post which there were hardening of stances. Today China sits on the ridge line of Finger 4 and India at the base with almost a eyeball to eyeball confrontation with camps at a distance of 500 metres. Both sides have been meeting but china has used the time to build defences and increase deployment, continuing its tactics of deception by buying time to strengthen.

                                                                                                While the Rest of the Sticking Points Seemingly will get Sorted, Pangong will remain a Sore point with the Siachenization of the Fingers, which were previously much more peaceful. Our Fingers are in Hot Water for sure.

The Finger Generation: Digital Response

As Soon as the news came trickling in, of the Situation on the Border, people gave calls for another Swadeshi Andolan and to boycott anything remotely chinese. Even the Government has banned 59 Apps with immediate effect including the Most Famous Content generation App of India, Tik Tok.

                                        While it is a Good Immediate step which appeals to the sentiments of the Young Generation which has its Hands Full and Fingers Busy at all times, most of our top 30 Unicorn Companies have Chinese Investment including Flipkart, Byju's etc which are a part of life of the Young generation, especially Urban. In this Interconnected world of Globalisation, Development & Viruses cannot be stopped at National Boundaries, However with National Will and involvement of our Young Generation, we can make up for lost time and Sectors to challenge the Chinese in their background.

Maybe we can start off, by making a Efficient Substitute of Tik Tok available to the Masses in India & Outside. Lets Begin !!