Doklam Back Again : Are There Other Hidden Goals That China Aims To Achieve?

SOURCE:
https://idrw.org/doklam-back-again-are-there-other-hidden-goals-that-china-aims-to-achieve/

           Doklam Back Again

 : Are There Other Hidden Goals 

    That China Aims To Achieve?

The Ministry of External Affairs has denied that there is any change in the status quo at Doklam as agreed on August 25 paving way for "disengagement" at the disputed site between China and Bhutan.

Following the "disengagement" understanding, Indian troops came back to their posts in Doklam. Chinese troops too pulled back. But, they stayed put at about 800 metres from the site of stand-off.

There are reports suggesting that the People Liberation Army of China has been building up its strength in the vicinity of the Doklam. China has officially reiterated its sovereign claim over Doklam plateau. But, the Indian side has maintained that the status quo agreed in August has not been altered.

Meanwhile, Indian forces have also strengthened their presence in the high mountainous regions for better acclimatisation to keep themselves ready in the event of any Chinese adventure along the borders - near Doklam or any other part of about 3,800 km-long boundary.

WHY CHINA IS INSISTENT UPON DOKLAM?

Many observers believe that Doklam build up by the Chinese side is largely due to the domestic political compulsions of President Xi Jinping, who is facing a stiff opposition in the Communist Party of China from the loyalists of former President Jiang Zemin, who continues to wield significant influence in the ruling party.

Jinping is hoping for an unprecedented third term in 2022. But, for this to happen he needs the decision to be approved by the CPC Congress, which will be held from October 18 in Beijing. The loyalists of Zemin are said to be against the idea of re-electing Jinping for the third time.

However, another set of observers believe that Doklam is a plot in the larger geostrategic game of China which it is playing with India. China is harbouring an ambition replacing the US as the world leader. Its various infrastructure projects including One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative and development ventures in many countries are part of that strategy.

INDIA, CHINA AS RIVALS

China finds India as a big stumbling rock in its global ambition. The hangover of 1962 war makes Beijing believe that if India is again demoralised militarily - not necessarily in direct conflict, it will establish China head and shoulder above India.

The military and economic gaps between India and China have grown wider over the last four-five decades. But, since the turn of the century, India has gained much confidence in dealing with China on both military and economic fronts. With Pakistan falling prey to the monster of terrorism that it created itself, China is the only rival of India for future.

Since the days of Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, India has focused on planning developmental projects in the areas bordering China. Manmohan Singh's government worked on improving connectivity in those areas. But, the process has gained a fresh momentum under the Narendra Modi government.

The attitude towards China seems to have changed in the government. Construction of dual use - military and civilian - infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh and other states sharing boundaries with China have been stepped up.

Security cooperation with Japan, Vietnam, Australia and the US has deepened. India is expanding its reach in the Pacific region. Narendra Modi government has increased focus on the northeast region for strategic purposes. Narendra Modi has travelled to the region, including Arunachal Pradesh, a few times.

In 2016, the US ambassador was encouraged to tour Arunachal Pradesh. Six months later in February this year, Tibetan leader Dalai Lama was permitted to tour extensively in Arunachal Pradesh including Tawang. Dalai Lama's Tawang visit received wide publicity and huge participation by the local people. This all happened while China kept expressing its opposition to validate its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, which it describes as South Tibet.

MESSAGE FROM CHINA

Doklam is a territory that is disputed between Bhutan and China. Located near India, China and Bhutan tri-junction, Doklam is inhabited by Bhutan's pastoral communities and seasonally frequented by Tibetan herders. For long, China laid claim on entire Bhutan terming it part of Tibet.

Chinese logic is this: if Tibet forms part of China (India agrees to this), then all those regions that were part of Tibetan kingdom in the past legally belong to it. It was only during 1980s that China agreed to engage with Bhutan as an independent country.

India and Bhutan have a security arrangement under which New Delhi is bound to protect sovereign rights of Thimphu from external forces. China and Bhutan have border disputes in three pockets. It is believed that China wants to test if India would actually resort to military option to defend its ally.

Doklam stand-off happened as part of the Chinese scheme of testing India's willingness in standing by its allies. Doklam tension is also an attempt by China to create a divide between India and Bhutan in order to take advantage of the small Himalayan kingdom.

Some other countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have traditionally looked to India for some degree of protection. China has been trying for years now to wean away these countries from India's security system.

Some other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia have shown increasing inclination in having some sort of security ties with India. China has been vying for similar arrangements. But, China has turned out to be unreliable partner.

China has been heavily constructing infrastructure in border areas. In some cases, these activities have helped it expand its effective territorial control. China has captured Paracel and Spratly in the South China Sea region from Vietnam with massive construction on uninhabited islands.

China may be willing to replicate its South China Sea experiment in Doklam. If China succeeds in its achieving its goals of creating wedge between India and its long standing ally Bhutan over Doklam, it may be looking to execute the same template elsewhere. So, far India has proved an equal match in geo-strategic maneuvering by China.

DOKLAM : China Expands Road In Doklam

SOURCE:
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/just-10-km-from-last-doklam-stand-off-china-works-on-a-road-again-1759103






     [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e8HzoKA0ds ]

[  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V54OnSWg-1k ]

With 500 Soldiers On Guard, China Expands                                 Road In Doklam

                                          BY

                                 Aby Vishnu Som 

HIGHLIGHTS

1. 
   
2. China starts expandig road in disputed Doklam Plateau
3. 500 soldiers accompanying construction workers
4. New construction in same area that India holds highly sensitive

Thwarted in its last attempt, China has now shifted its 

unused road construction material North and East of 

the Doklam face-off site.

October 05, 2017 23:21 IST

[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PfzsJWDfuw ]

Barely a month after the winding down of an aggressive 

stand-off with India at the Sikkim border, the Chinese 

Army is back to building a road on the Doklam Plateau, 

just 10 km from the location of the last conflict. The 

Doklam Plateau is claimed by both Beijing and Bhutan 

as their territory. India backs Bhutan's claim.

China starts expanding road in disputed Doklam 

Plateau

In mid-June, Indian soldiers crossed the Sikkim border 

to stop the construction of a Chinese road near the 

"Chicken's Neck", a thin strip that links India to its 

northeastern states. After nearly 70 days of soldiers from

 both sides staring down at each other just 150 metres 

apart, the conflict, described as the worst in decades, 

subsided with both countries accepting that they were 

withdrawing their troops, though details were sketchy.

China pulled back its bulldozers and other road-making 

equipment, said officials in Delhi at the time. Chinese 

officers said the weather would be among the factors 

that would determine its plans for construction.

Now, barely 10 kilometres from the location of the stand-

off, China is expanding an existing track, reinforcing its 

claim to the disputed and remote Doklam Plateau. India 

backs Bhutan's claim to the region and has made it clear

 that it will not tolerate any infrastructure that would 

allow China access to the Chicken's Neck, located just 

south of Doklam.

Thwarted in its last attempt, China has now shifted its 

unused road construction material North and East of the

 face-off site. Road construction workers brought into 

the area are accompanied by upto 500 soldiers though 

there are no indicators that these soldiers will be 

permanently based in the area - the Chinese town of 

Yatung, which is less than 20 km away as the crow flies, 

is a few hours by road and accommodates them. Neither

 are there signs of permanent structures to 

accommodate Chinese soldiers in the area which is 

snow-bound and bitterly cold in the winter. 

Army officers NDTV has spoken to believe that the new 

road construction is meant to be a strong signal of 

Beijing's intent to prove its territorial claims. A month 

ago, Army Chief Bipin Rawat had warned, "As far as the

 Northern adversary is concerned, flexing of muscles 

has started. Salami slicing, taking over territory in a very 

gradual manner, testing our limits or threshold is 

something we have to be wary about. Remain prepared 

for situations that are emerging gradually into conflict." 

Construction in the same area that India holds highly 

sensitive

It is likely that the Army Chief was referring to these 

renewed Chinese efforts despite the de-escalation of the

 Doklam crisis which paved the way for the Prime 

Minister to travel to Xiamen for the BRICS summit last 

month.

Sources have told NDTV that fresh Chinese road 

construction activity in the area began shortly after 

India and China chose to deescalate tensions on August 

28. On August 18, the Indian Army, which dominates the 

area, moved into the Doklam Plateau from their base at 

the nearby Doka La (pass) and physically prevented the

 Chinese from stretching the track. China's goal had 

been to extend the track south across the Torso Nallah 

to the Jhamperi Ridge, a dominant feature in the area 

where the Bhutanese Army has a base. 

JAI JAWAN MODI BALWAN SWACH BHARAT MODI MAHAN

SOURCE:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/a-soldier-should-wield-the-gun-not-broom-veterans/story-gMKmdczHtee1Nwun3LkQDN.html











                         JAI   JAWAN MODI BALWAN

          SWACH  BHARAT MODI MAHAN

 

              A Soldier Should Wield the Gun,Not Broom: 

                     Veterans on PMO’s clean-up Orders

Debate over PMO asking the ministry of defence 

to clean up the waste left behind by tourists in 

high-altitude locations is only getting more lively

From an online petition collecting signatures against the move to furore on WhatsApp and Twitter, the debate over Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) asking the ministry of defence (MoD) to clean up the waste left behind by tourists in high-altitude locations is only getting more lively.

The latest argument is that when the Sri Lankan tourism ministry mooted a similar proposal to its armed forces, they refused, saying their soldiers won’t touch garbage.

A former army commander, who requested anonymity, said he had no bones to pick with the order if it is part of a national effort. “In the 1960s, the armed forces used to grow wheat and rice in vacant areas and even the bungalows as part of the ‘grow more food campaign’, but the ministry must clarify whether the army will do it physically or it will get funds for it.”

But he was quick to add that if the rumour that it was part of the central government’s efforts to get the pilgrim places cleaned was true, he would be very offended.

Lt Gen Harwant Singh (retd) feels the order is downright humiliating. “Soldiering is all about pride, such an order will lower the self-esteem of a soldier. It is unfortunate that our chiefs don’t stand up to such diktats,” he said, adding that there was a difference between helping out in an emergency and wielding the broom to make up for somebody else’s inefficiency.

There were others who said the order stemmed from the misplaced notion that the armed forces had nothing to do during peace time. Calling it an “idiotic decision” in view of the threat the country faces from two sides, Col Anil Raina (retd) said the army is busy every month of the year. “From January to March, we are doing in-house training and preparing for the next nine months. Then there is field firing, followed by inspections where a unit is told whether it is war ready or not.”

Agreeing with him, the former army commander said a soldier has to account for every hour in his day. “From training and refresher courses to administrative work, he is kept physically and mentally busy. It is peace time that prepares you for war.”

Col Raina said a soldier is so busy even during peace that if you were to ask him how many nights he gets to sleep, he will reply “2- 3 nights a week”.

Brig Baljit Singh (retd) of War Decorated India, however, chose to interpret the order more cautiously. “I think the PMO implies that the army will get the work done, not that it will do it physically.” The officer went on to explain that the chief executive officer of the cantonment board, who is an employee of the defence ministry, has both staff and funds at his disposal. “He can use both to clean up areas in high altitude with scanty civil population.”

But most veterans found the order hard to swallow. Slamming it as “very stupid” Brig Harwant Singh (retd) of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, bristled, “The army does not need any ‘swacchta abhiyan’. They are asking us to clean up. It amounts to gross ill-treatment of the soldier. Don’t reduce him to a safai worker.”

Seconding him, Brig Onkar Singh Goraya (retd) said the PMO can boost the cleanliness campaign by sending his people to cantonments for a tutorial in cleanliness. “Visit any military station and you won’t find a brick out of place. We do the job with minimum effort. Learn from us, don’t hand us the broom.”

Clearing Garbage is not the Job of Army

SOURCE;
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/clearing-garbage-is-not-the-job-of-army/477842.html




Should the Army be used to clean trash left behind by tourists and others? It depends on whom you ask. According to the government, this is a key part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan which includes all citizens and therefore includes the Army as well. On the other side, senior veterans of the Army feel this is part of an effort to downgrade the importance of the armed forces and make them do something that they neither trained for nor signed up to do. Either way, an order has come. Some of the places where this is happening are Kedarnath, Rudraprayag, Joshimath, Harsil and Gaurikund in Uttarakhand.




Is it fair to ask the Army to clean up garbage left behind by tourists in high-altitude areas?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBfu3xSx8V8

                    Clearing  Garbage

              is not the Job of Army

          Lt-Gen Harwant Singh (Retd)







A soldier walks into the very jaws of death when needed. But, clearing garbage hits the sense of dignity that is bestowed upon him by his profession.

A sanitation drive in progress after the Amarnath yatra in Baltal. File photo
THE recent order by the PMO delivered through the Defence Ministry to the Army to remove garbage etc left by climbers on Mount Everest and pilgrims going to various shrines in the upper reaches of the Himalayas, has caused much dismay and disquiet both amongst the veterans and the serving men. 

Troops always pitch in

1 The Indian Army has always responded with alacrity to any call from the civil administration for help during floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

2 Similar has been the response when called upon to restore order: when matters get out of hand of the police and other central police organisations. In remote areas, many a time the army has come to the help of the local population even when there has been no such request from the civil administration. The well-being of the people of the country has always been foremost with the Indian army. 

3 Soldiering is a profession apart. When called upon, soldiers walk into the very jaws of death without a demur. It is so because of self-respect and pride in the profession of arms, regimental spirit and, above all, love for the country and its people. In all this, lingers a sense of dignity embedded in the profession. 

Lankan army said no to cleaning

In no democracy of the world has there been a case where soldiers have been asked to undertake the cleaning of garbage generated by the public.  The Sri Lankan army refused to carry out such a task. Soldiers keep cantonments, military stations and their posts neat and clean and these stand out as example of orderliness and cleanliness in the midst of abundant filth seen in the surrounding towns etc.  

The new breed of soldiers is different from those of yore. Most of them have no family tradition of soldiering and are there merely for the sake of employment. Therefore, there have been cases in the recent past where soldiers deployed as 'sahayaks' (orderlies to officers) have termed tasks such as washing their officer's car or picking up his child from school or buying vegetables from the market for his officer, as menial. Such complaints made the Army Chief contemplate employing civilians in place of 'sahayaks.'

‘Lawful command’ issue

Assume that a group of soldiers is ordered to clean up garbage and muck at a particular place, be it Badrinath or Base Camp of Mount Everest and the troops simply do not react to this order. Such a situation arose when Central India Horse (CIH) was ordered to mount the train for eventual move to North Africa, during World War I and one squadron (Sikh Squadron) did not do so, even when the order was repeated. Then as per the military law, it was a mutiny. Court martials followed, with half a dozen awarded the death sentence and some varying terms of imprisonment. 

The case of the failure to react to order to clear garbage will be no different. Except at such a court martial, the issue of 'lawful command', which is the principle content of an order in the military, will surface. Defence will contend whether such an order is a lawful command. How such a situation will impact discipline in the military as a whole is not difficult to visualise. 

It would be unwise to continuously push the military against the wall. It maintains its own areas in a spick and span state one need leave it at that. 

Ginger up civil administration

There is a need to ginger up the civil administration, which has the necessary wherewithal to take on all such tasks entirely on its own, without calling in the military. Even in such and other tasks, the tendency to call the military at the drop of a hat shows the civil administration in poor light. If at present there are nearly 130 districts in the country where the government's writ does not fully run, the element of poor civil administration is a substantial contributory factor.  

Those who take it upon themselves to pass such uncalled for instructions to the military have little knowledge of soldiering. They are unaware of the fact of how pride in oneself, discipline and officer-man relationship leads them to attempt the impossible, as they did in Kargil. No one need push the military to a position where troops resent or disapprove of tasks being assigned to them. The Swachh Bharat movement is a people's movement and those on pilgrimage should be motivated to clean up such places as part of their pilgrimage. Elsewhere, the district administration should actively involve itself and get people as a whole to participate in this movement.  Holding a broom as a photo-op is not enough.