India-China standoff: No lip singing, but tough actions needed on the ground

PM Modi in interaction with leaders  of different political parties on Friday.(ANI)

During his virtual meeting with party leaders on Friday evening, PM Narendra Modi surprised many by suggesting that there was no cross-border infiltration by China. With reports of regular conflicts between Indian and Chinese soldiers in recent times in the Line of Actual Control (LAC), this has surprised many.

PM Modi, during his interaction on Friday evening, said as per ANI, "Neither have they intruded into our border nor has any post been taken over by them (China). 20 of our jawans were martyred, but those who dared Bharat Mata, they were taught a lesson".

While several questions on the conflict of statements by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the prime minister was going rounds, the PMO came out with a statement on Saturday saying," The APM (All Party Meeting) was also informed that this time, Chinese forces have come in much larger strength to the LAC and that the Indian response is commensurate. As regards transgression of LAC, it was clearly stated that the violence in Galwan on 15 June arose because Chinese side was seeking to erect structures just across the LAC and refused to desist from such actions."

Every single Indian condole the death of 20 bravehearts of 16 Bihar Regiment and our hearts boil with anger with the way they were killed.

No one questions the velour of armed forces. But the message that has gone to the country is that our stand is different when it comes to Pakistan and China. Apart from our External fairs Minister S Jaishankar calling up his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, nothing substantial was seen on the ground.

It seems the government wants to move ahead just by paying homage to our martyred soldiers. Were the lives of our 20 soldiers less important than 40 jawans who lost their lives in Pulwama attack or 19 jawans in Uri?  In both cases, the Modi government decided to go for a surgical strike and airstrike following terror attacks.

One may agree that war against China is no solution. But at least we can tackle them economically. The government must take steps to reduce trade ties with China. Also, we must stop importing automobile parts, mobiles, toys, and other items from China.

Also, with China regularly violating LAC agreements isn't it time for India to drag China to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), just like it did against Pakistan in Kulbhushan Jadhav case. Surely the tortures that our 20 jawans faced are far beyond imaginable.

Apart from this, it can also ask BRICS nations, of which both countries are part, to put pressure on China to follow LAC agreements. While it has maintained that no third party negotiation required on Kashmir issue against Pakistan, in this case, Russia, being India's close friend can talk to China on its behalf. India's ability on negotiations is beyond doubt, but high time China be made understand they could no more get away with intrusions. Also, with both Russia and China being the permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Russia's talk to China on India's behalf will have its weight.

While one is certain that the Modi Government might have opened back-channel diplomacies, one hope this time China is taught a tough lesson without firing a bullet. Time for PM Modi to show his 56-inch chest continues to remain as strong as ever.