Tibet issue: Time for Modi to achieve what Nehru couldn’t
In the year 1950-51, when China entered Tibet and ruthlessly suppressed the Tibetan protesters, the Government of India virtually kept quiet. Even then, several experts in India suggested to the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to examine the feasibility of stopping China’s aggression of Tibet and Nehru was forewarned that the next target of China could be India.
There is a recent report (The Hindu dated 28/11/2021) which said that Nehru consulted the then chief of army staff Field Marshall Cariappa when China entered Tibet and the army chief told Nehru that the Indian army could, at best, push one brigade up to Gyantse for a month or two but could not sustain it, stretched as it was with a war in Kashmir against Pakistan and with keeping the peace in a communally charged India after Partition. Thus, Nehru was told that India had no military options.
Generally, many people accuse the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of keeping silent when China marched into Tibet. Obviously, at that time, Nehru could do nothing else.
To add insult to injury, later on, Prime Minister Vajpayee signed an agreement with China virtually approving China’s occupation of Tibet.
India is now paying the price for its Tibetan policy, with growing concern in India about China’s transgressions at the Line of Actual control and reports of settlements of villages along it.
As China continues to threaten India by strengthening its military presence on the India Tibetan border, there is a huge demand in India that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should prevent China from violating the Line of Actual Control.
Perhaps, Modi is thinking on the same line as Jawaharlal Nehru did in 1950-51, concluding that India has few military options against China, in view of China’s overwhelming military strength backed by considerable economic power.
Today, India faces a war-like situation on the Line of Actual Control with Pakistan and China and Pakistan and China are close allies.
Perhaps, Prime Minister Modi and his advisers think that a simultaneous military confrontation with Pakistan and China could be a calculated risk and it would seriously retard several significant economic, industrial, and infrastructural projects being set up at a rapid pace in India.
The dilemma for Prime Minister Modi in taking a military decision to stop China’s incursion is the uncertainty about U.S. support for India in the event of a military confrontation with China and perhaps, with Pakistan also. Russia, with whom India is trying to have a close relationship even as it is developing close relations with the USA, has reduced itself to the level of ally of China for all practical purposes.
U.S. President Biden after suffering humiliation in Afghanistan may leave India alone to fight its military confrontation with China and US may limit itself by extending lip support only. Russia too may remain aloof. European nations too are having huge problems and the conflict of interest between France and England leading to bitterness between both these countries make it doubtful whether Europe could come to India’s rescue in the event of a military confrontation with China.
In this condition, Prime Minister Modi has joined the QUAD alliance. However, it is not claimed to be a military alliance.
China not only is threatening India. It is also threatening various countries such as Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and others. Japanese Prime Minister has said that the security situation around Japan causes concern and he said that Japan would consider all options including possessing enemy base strike capability. `Obviously, Japan too is not very sure about US support in case of a war-like situation with China.
A number of countries in the world are concerned about China’s expansionist goals and ruthless behavior and many think that Chinese President Xi Jinping is no different from Hitler, immediately before the second world war. However, in the case of China India conflict, these counties may remain a silent observer.
Prime Minister Modi is now left with no option other than to confront China in whatever way possible, as China’s greed and aggressive claims would not go away anytime soon.
Prime Minister Modi has to clearly make Chinese President Xi Jinping realize India’s determination to protect its territorial sovereignty.
Prime Minister Modi is gradually strengthening India’s military but one cannot be sure as to what extent this would be adequate, in the event of military conflict with China.
Even as Modi tries to avoid the military confrontation with China to the extent possible in spite of China’s provocations, he can do some doable things immediately so that China would not take India for granted.
The one way of doing this is to treat the Tibetan issue as alive and not as a closed chapter.
While Modi may be hesitant to recognize Tibet as an independent country, India can permit the Tibetan government in exile to open an office in New Delhi and allow it to function freely. At least, one street in New Delhi should be named after the respected Dalai Lama. Modi should invite the Dalai Lama for discussions, even if it would be a courtesy call.
Further, Prime Minister Modi should decide to boycott the Winter Olympics in China which would be a big setback to China in its prestige in the world arena.
So far, in spite of China’s aggressive behaviour towards India, Modi has not gone beyond applying some cosmetic measures to confront China like restricting Chinese investments in India. This is not enough.
A decisive move by India to create an impression around the world that the plight of Tibetans needs recognition in the world would certainly create fear in the mindset of President Xi Jinping, as many countries would view such move as positive and necessary. China would get an image as an aggressor and it would not like such a condition. Perhaps, China could even seek India’s support to legitimize its illegal occupation of Tibet and soften its confrontation with India.
Ultimately, such simple strategies will gradually pave way for India to undo the historical Tibet mistake.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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