THE temperature seems to be on the rise in the Himalayan region of Ladakh between India and China. Tensions have exacerbated along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) — the de facto border demarched during the British colonial era.

Historically, both nations do not recognise the LAC as a permanent boundary, and have fought a war in 1962 besides the odd skirmish now and then. However, of late things have started to sour.

India and China first confronted each other in 2017 in Dokhlam, a strategic tri-junction between Bhutan, China and India which is also a disputed territory between China and Bhutan. China entered Dokhlam to construct roads and India, which was already suspicious of Chinese motives, responded by sending its troops to stop the construction. Fortunately, the situation didn’t escalate owing to back channel diplomacy between the two countries.

This time the situation seems more dangerous as Chinese forces have entered what India claims its own territory. The situation is seen by some as a tit-for-tat because India is busy in the construction of a bridge that China sees as New Delhi’s attempt to change the status quo to solidify its claim over disputed territory.

Furthermore, India’s abrogation of Article 370 of its constitution was also not well received by Beijing as this move bolsters New Delhi’s claim over India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan in this respect should stand solidly with China, because our strategic interests converge on this issue and Kashmir is also a disputed territory. This is also a golden opportunity to raise the issue of illegal construction of dams by India and New Delhi’s hydro warfare against Pakistan by stealing our share of water from the Indus.

Pakistan also needs to be extra vigilant since the Indians are capable of any perfidy to pursue their hegemon designs, the latest being the quarrel New Delhi has started with Nepal in a bid to grab Nepal’s territory.

Adnan Shah

Khairpur

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2020