The Chinese Betrayal 2.0
For the past one week, the Opposition has been demanding that the Government come out with the truth about the developments in the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh and present the facts before the country. The Centre has been trying to portray that the situation in the Indo-Chinese border is normal by issuing statements and trying to conceal the fact that talks were held on June 6 between the armies of India and China to ease the escalating tensions. In fact, the Defence Ministry went a step further and stated that both the countries had taken a decision to withdraw their armed forces from the border in a phased manner. When the country has been spending anxious moments over the border situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have taken the people into confidence and provided a clear picture about the developments. Instead, the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister have been issuing provocative statements about PoK but have kept the country in the dark about the developments around LAC in the Ladakh region. Now, the country has come face-to-face with the brutal truth about the actual situation in the border.
Making a mockery of the government’s statements that ‘border talks have been successful’ is the death of 20 Indian soldiers in clashes with the Chinese army. At the same time, government sources are claiming that about 45 Chinese soldiers have either died or injured but no official word is out about this. The death of 45 Chinese soldiers should not make us take the death of 20 Indian soldiers lightly. Perhaps, this is the second heinous attack on our soldiers in the Modi regime. Capturing one terrorist in Pulwama cost us 45 Indian Jawans, whereas 20 Indian soldiers have now died in clashes with the Chinese army. The prevailing situation in the border is a grim reminder of the Kargil war. If Pakistan was responsible for the casualties then, today Chinese aggression has led to the deaths of Indian soldiers.
The unprovoked aggression of China against India as well as its hatred against India is not new and has a long history with several dimensions. China has constantly provoked India by trying to claim its rights over Arunachal Pradesh. It has large tracts of land that belongs to India and has under its control the region around Manas Sarvoar that has an emotional connect with India. Also, China has repeatedly tested India’s patience by pushing its army into the Indian territory. At the same time, the restraint that India has shown towards China is remarkable. Though China has provoked India several times in the past, India has eased the situation by showing maturity and patience. However, it seems China is now in a hurry to make use of the opportunity that India has provided by taking several hasty decisions. Coming out of its stand of being non-aligned and showing its absolute loyalty to the United States has resulted in India becoming the enemy of those opposed to the US. At the same time, the US has not adopted the same attitude of being ‘a friend’ of India which India has repeatedly announced and projected it to be. The way the US responded to India’s refusal to export medicines for Corona reflects its attitude towards India. It appears to be merely ‘using’ India in the present globalized world. If India had not sold itself but tried to establish a relationship of being a dignified ally, India would not have had to face such an uncomfortable situation internationally. Today, India has neither a solid foreign policy nor seasoned leaders who can interact with leaders of other countries in a matured way.
The image of the country took a beating after India breached the LOC on the pretext of surgical strikes and the subsequent public statements issued by our leaders. Breaching LOC of another country and publicly lauding itself for doing so does not reflect political maturity. All governments perform such acts wily nily, but do not publicize their actions. But India tried to project the surgical strikes as an achievement and tried to regain lost ground after the Pulwama attacks. These strikes created tension among the neighboring countries.
In the midst of these developments, however, India tried to strengthen its relations with China with several Chinese leaders visiting India twice and India treating them with affection and dignity. Prime Minister Modi also visited China and his government handed over several important projects to Chinese companies. It took several decisions to facilitate business relations with China. In fact, the project of ‘Vallabhbhai Patel’ statue – a symbol of unity of India – was implemented by a Chinese company. Scoffing at the ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharath’ slogan of the Prime Minister, the Delhi-Meerut mega underpass project was given to a Chinese company. But China seemed to have tossed everything aside by adopting a belligerent stand towards India. This is the second installment in a series of Chinese betrayals of India that started with its betrayal of Nehru.
Before taking on China diplomatically, the Modi government should first take into confidence the people of the country. The government should go back on its decisions such as its policy on Kashmir, Citizenship Amendment Act , or National Registry of Citizens that don’t play any role in the development of the country but are detrimental to the country’s harmony. Prime Minister Modi should also stop his ‘one-man show’ ‘’ and work with the Opposition and address the problems facing the country. Bilateral talks and not war is the answer to the present problem. It is not sensible for India that has already suffered an economic blow due to the lockdown to find itself in a situation of going to war with a strong country such as China. Taking a few steps backwards now would help us take strong steps forward in the future.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
