China warns India on borders in Ladakh, says ‘fears no conflicts’

Arun Joshi

Jammu, June 17

China has warned India of staying within its borders for any violation would invite repercussions saying New Delhi while dealing with China should get rid of what it called two misjudgements – working at the behest of the US and to think that the Indian Army is more powerful than the Chinese Army.

In a hard-hitting editorial in Global Times in the wake of Galwan Valley, it has stated it clearly and in an unveiled threatening tone, “The gap between China’s and India’s strength is clear,” implying that it has superior army, weaponry and fighting skills in fighting in all terrains in all-weather conditions.

Global Times is a mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China that rules the country. The Chinese government sells its intentions and propaganda mostly through this newspaper, more than the official channels. It is a well-established practice in China, because it helps in China to live in official denial on sensitive issues without losing the opportunity to say what it wants to through this newspaper.

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The editorial read, “China does not want to turn border issues with India into a confrontation. This is goodwill and restraint from China. But China is confident in the situation at the border. It does not and will not create conflicts, but it fears no conflicts either.” 

This was a warning of sorts that China wanted to deliver to India. It sought to serve a strategic goal for its own people that China has a robust policy and military that can change anything on the ground. 

It is evidenced from these words in the edit, “This policy is supported by both morality and strength. We will not trade our bottom line with anyone.”

It, however, meddles with the Indian foreign policy as also raises questions about the Indian Army’s strength. It has asked India against the backdrop of Ladakh clashes not to serve the US interests and noted that the US resources to invest in India-China relationship are quite limited.

China has not revealed, nor will it ever, the casualties it suffered during the physical clashes in the Galwan Valley, for this approach sits pretty with its time-tested policy of erasing history that could cause it embarrassment, militarily or politically.

The newspaper’s line echoes the Chinese official line that the clashes took place because India undertook a “provocative” action of intruding into its territory. This charge has been rejected by India.

The Chinese newspaper, in short, has asked India not to exercise its right on the territory in Galwan Valley, which is part of India, and had witnessed no contesting claims from China until May this year.

China is tweaking the narrative to browbeat India through its propaganda machinery.