Chinese change their stance after being warned by the Indian Chief Defence Staff

New Delhi: – Indian Chief of Defence Staff had warned that the military option was open to India, in case the talks regarding the border dispute fell through. Thereafter, China has adopted a softer stand. Sun Weidong, Chinese Ambassador to India, reacted that the conflict in the Galwan Valley between the Indian and Chinese soldiers was an unfortunate incident. Weidong also said that China looks at India, as a partner and not as an enemy.

Multiple rounds of meetings on the political and military level have been held, after the Galwan Valley incident. But nothing fruitful has emerged from these meetings and Chinese deployment in the Pangong Tso, Depsang and Finger Cliff border regions, continues to be in the same state. It has also been reported that China has increased its deployments in certain parts. Military analysts are accusing that China is only trying to buy time through these negotiations. Against the background of these developments on the border, a meeting of the security committee presided over by the Defence Minister, was held in the last week. Within a few hours of the meeting, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat issued an open warning that the military option was open against China.

A major reaction was expected from China on the warning issued by the Defence Chief. But the Chinese Ambassador to India seems to have started using the language for reconciliation. The Chinese Ambassador claimed ‘The clash between the Indian and Chinese Soldiers was an unfortunate incident. The incident does not become important from a historical point of view. But the countries do not want such incidents on the border. Now, both countries are trying to manage such incidents properly.’ He appealed for peace to India, while addressing a webinar. For this purpose, the Chinese Ambassador, reminded of the Indo-China cooperation over the last seven decades. India and China have diplomatic ties for 70 years. The relations have gone bitter on many occasions. But the tension between the two countries had not increased, even during those times. Therefore, bilateral relations should not be spoiled because of the Galwan incident. Weidong showed that his country had softened its stand, expressing a hope that the Indo-China relations should improve rather than spoiling.

The Chinese Ambassador said that China looks at India as a partner and not an enemy and also as an opportunity and not a threat. No country can remain aloof from the world. Ambassador Weidong said that along with Atmanirbharata, (Self Reliance), the stage should be kept open for the foreign countries. At the same time, the Chinese Ambassador mentioned India as a trade partner and expressed hope that both these countries should attract each other like magnets. China is suffering losses of billions of dollars following the harsh economic and trade policies adopted by India, following the Galwan incident. After India tore the Chinese mask exposing its expansionism, with the Galwan incident, even foreign companies have started moving out of China and investing in India. This is delivering severe jolts to the Chinese economy and senior officials from the communist party, also have started openly criticising President Jinping’s leadership.

While delivering economic jolts to China, India has continued with its deployment along the border. Along with super-advanced fighter jets, India has deployed air defence systems, tanks and artillery guns on the border. At the same time, it is being reported that the anti-aircraft ‘MANPADS’, purchased from Russia, also have been deployed on the border. The stern warning issued by the Indian Defence Chief makes China aware of the repercussions in the future. Against this background, the tone of the Chinese Ambassador seems to have softened. But the Indian analysts are watching this Chinese stand with caution.