Deciphering China’s actions The Statesman 20 Aug 19
https://epaper.thestatesman.com/2292585/Kolkata-The-Statesman/20TH-AUGUST-2019#page/7/2
Deciphering China’s actions 20 Aug 19
Post the abolition of Article 370, Qureshi, the Pak foreign minister, dashed to China desperate for their support on Indian actions. China had already commented on the changed status of Ladakh, to which it was countered, stating that actions taken by India were internal and there were no additional claims on the boundary dispute.
The Indian foreign minister, Jaishankar visited China as part of his pre-planned visit from 10 to 12th Aug. Post the meeting between the foreign ministers, the Chinese ruling party mouthpiece Global Times stated, ‘the Indian diplomat pledged that India’s constitutional amendment won’t create new sovereignty claims and won’t change the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kashmir region.’ It also added, ‘China opposes any unilateral action that complicates the regional situation and hopes India and Pakistan can resolve the disputes through peaceful methods.’
Subsequently, the Global Times published a series of articles critical on Indian actions. It stated, ‘New Delhi is too reckless on border issues. It keeps taking unilateral actions and breaking the status quo with impact on the regional situation. Its actions challenge surrounding countries’ interests, but it wants these countries to swallow the provocation and accept the new facts made by India.’
It added, ‘The US and the West also connive with India. India also thinks China is busy at the trade war and the Belt and Road Initiative, and so it is a good time to act on border issues. But this is not the proper strategy for a big power. India needs a friendly neighbourhood to rise.’ It also questioned India’s quest for a seat in the UNSC.
Pak had been pushing for a discussion in the UN Security Council on India’s actions on removing Article 370 and breaking J and K into two Union Territories (UT), claiming India altered the status of a disputed region, while India contends that J and K, including POK and Gilgit Baltistan are Indian territory. Pak’s demand was rejected by the UNSC President.
China, on behalf of Pak approached UNSC for a special meeting on Kashmir. It was accepted as a closed-door meeting and held on 16th Aug. A closed-door meeting only enables members to share their views. There are no decisions, no official records maintained, nor a press release issued on what transpired. Neither India nor Pakistan attended, as both are not members of the UNSC.
Post the discussion, there were three press conferences. These were by China, Pakistan and India. Each nation projected its own views. For Pakistan, the biggest gain was that Kashmir was discussed in the UNSC for the first time in 50 years. Since it was not an official meeting, nothing of relevance was gained. As per inputs, China was alone as other members agreed with the Indian view that the matter was internal. The Chinese statement only highlighted that both nations should commence dialogue. India stuck to its stand that it was an internal matter.
The Chinese demand for a UNSC meeting was not to raise their objections on the changed status of Ladakh, where it has territorial disputes with India, but Kashmir, where Pakistan is concerned. Thus, the message being conveyed to the world was that China itself has no concern post the clarification given by the Indian Foreign Minister, but is acting at the behest of Pak.
China acted for multiple reasons, while ensuring its actions did not anger India. Hence, it accepted a closed-door meeting. China has investments in Pak which it cannot risk. There is immense anger within Pak against Indian actions. If China had not supported Pak, it could face local anger which would damage its investments in the CPEC.
In Pak, the government and army are facing local wrath. Their decades of propaganda on regaining Kashmir has impacted their national psyche. Pak could only adopt diplomatic actions as militarily, it remains weak. It received no support from its traditional allies. Maintaining silence could sound the death knell for the government and this cannot be accepted by China as it could jeopardise its investments.
With the Belt Road Initiative facing hurdles and the economy impacted due to the ongoing trade war with the US, it already has its plate full. It cannot afford to include CPEC as another problem. Within Pakistan, support from China, which was the only one it received, boosted the Chinese image. It saved the face of the Imran led government. The fact that Kashmir was even discussed in the UN and that too due to Chinese insistence, was a face saver.
China also needs to be careful. Despite it ignoring international criticism for its handling of the Uyghur Moslems, the same could also be raked up in another closed-door meeting. Further, Hong Kong is facing its worst unrest since the takeover of the region by China. There have been comments from the US and UK on the manner it is being handled. While Hong Kong police authorities have claimed they have the region under control, China is feeling the heat. Tibet is always a burning topic, on which China has sought Indian cooperation.
China is aware of Indian proximity to the US and its alliances with Japan, Vietnam and other nations in conflict with China. India has presently not acted in any manner to anger China, but if pushed to the wall, it could. Indo-Chinese strategic partnership is developing post Doklam. Both sides have sought to avoid further differences cropping up.
China is aware that if it pushes the Kashmir issue hard in the UNSC and demands a full meeting, then nations supporting India would demand similar discussions on Uyghur and Hong Kong, which despite all its efforts to block would get international coverage. China has many skeletons in its cupboard, which it would prefer keeping under wraps.
War or antagonism with India is not the preferred option for China now. It therefore took this mild step. Indian government’s silence on the closed-door discussions indicate that it has no qualms on Chinese actions and is aware of the reasons for China adopting this stance.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army