India-China dispute may intensify - warns former Indian diplomat -

New Delhi: The 16th round of discussion to diffuse the tension reigning on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh between the Indian and Chinese army are scheduled to start from Sunday. India has indicated even before the start of the round that the tensions on the LAC will not be diffused unless China withdrew its army from the LAC in Ladakh. But China is not willing to accept this demand. Therefore, it is clear that not much is expected to emerge from this round. In this scenario, Indian diplomats are claiming that the India-China dispute will fester further in the coming times.

Moreover, Syed Akbaruddin, the former permanent Indian representative in the United Nations, recorded his observations that China will continue with its expansionist policies and try to shape the global systems the way it wants. While the Chinese ambitions have increased, India also has given up its traditional tolerant diplomatic policies. Instead, since 2014, India has adopted a more effective, ambitious policy with preparedness to take risks. At the same time, there is an unprecedented increase in Indian cooperation with its neighbouring countries. Currently, the United States is not the only superpower and China is challenging the United States on many fronts. Therefore, situations never experienced before are being confronted. At the same time, China has sparked the border dispute by adopting an aggressive policy. At the same time, China has undertaken development projects in the disputed Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Therefore, the India-China disputes will continue increasing and the rift between the two countries will keep growing.

While the Chinese ambitions and activities are increasing, Indian influence on the international level also is rising. Akbaruddin mentioned the conference held between India and the African countries in 2015. Whereas, the heads of state of the ASEAN countries were present for the Republic Day Parade in 2018. Akbaruddin said that the indications of changes in the Indian foreign policy are being received even from the I2U2 held recently.