For India, few options beyond diplomacy in standoff with China

With the meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow—their first in person meeting since the tensions—the way forward seems to be long, slow but obvious: Diplomatic.

“It is a sound one,’’ said Ashley Tellis Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,Washington DC, at a webinar organised by ML Sondhi Institute for Asia Pacific Affairs, referring to India’s emphasis on diplomacy coupled with pressure on Chinese economy. The only concern, Tellis pointed out, was whether India had the “leverage’’ to punish China economically alone. However, the incident on August 29-30 on the LAC “to protect its equity’’ was important.

While India is exploring how to “weaponise’’ economic might, both military and diplomatic engagement must continue side by side. There are said to be 50,000 troops and 150 PLA fighters on the front line. “The intention is no longer transgression,’’ pointed out Former Vice Chief Arvind Lamba. “It is to change the configuration of the LAC.’’

For India, the options beyond diplomacy and military options are a few. Hopes are pinned on the Quad, but with the elections in the US as well as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stepping down—as well as Australia now looking to be a little less convinced—this grouping has its limitations.

But can India hope to capitalise on Tibet? India has chosen to publicly refer to Tibetans and their heroism especially in the Special Frontier Force for the first time.

The SFF, which was created by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962 and has been generally kept secret, found itself in the limelight when there was public acknowledgement of Tibetan Commando Nyima Tenzin laying down his life in a mine blast during the August 29-30 operations.

The BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav attended the funeral—put out a tweet and then deleted it—to counter the strategy that China has done before. “Attended the funeral of SFF Coy Ldr Nyima Tenzin, a Tibetan who laid down his life protecting our borders in Ladakh, and laid a wreath as a tribute. Let the sacrifices of such valiant soldiers bring peace along the Indo-Tibetan border. That will be the real tribute to all martyrs.’’

This is not the first time that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen to use Tibet to make a point to China. In 2014, the Tibetan government in exile had been invited to attend the swearing in. However, this sort of harsh line was dropped later.

While this might suggest a rethink by India on its policy on Tibet—which so far has kept Chinese sensitivities in mind—the external affairs minister at a public function this week denied a change in policy and said “India’s stand has been remarkably consistent.’’

Despite Trump’s rather strident position on China, he has refused to meet the Dalai Lama unlike President Barack Obama. The special representation on Tibetan affairs position which fell vacant in 2017, is yet to be filled.

But there might be a glimmer of hope for Tibetans with the Democrats. There is a mention of it in the Biden manifesto and he will restore the special representative.