It is disquieting that specter of cold war is now in sight around the Galwan valley in Ladakh. It is the fallout of Governments’ hesitant, permissive and too much of so called defensive strategies in framing our foreign policy regarding the belligerent Chinese since 1962. It is the cumulative effect of our weak foreign policy despite the changes of guard at the Centre during the long span of 58 years. In this perspective, it is high time for our Government to gear up firm and positive measures to safeguard the boundaries of our country for avoiding disastrous consequences.
Some days ago Mr Rajnath Singh, our Defence Minister, planned to visit Galwan valley along with army generals to ascertain the defence preparedness, which was subsequently cancelled. Didn’t that move indicate the Government’s hesitant policy regarding China? Further, it was planned that missiles would be set up there but nothing was heard afterwards. Admittedly, there were clashes and conflicts resulting in the death of our soldiers. Isn’t it the consequence of our permissive defence policy? Further, do all these assert that our Government has been pursuing the so called defensive strategy in our external policy? Can it further be affirmed that my evaluation about our foreign policy is meaningful?
Now, to digress from the present situation developed around Galwan Valley, feeling of a war tremor behoved PM Modi to visit the Valley. Perceiving the gravity of the situation, he adopted a firm decision to engage NSA Ajit Doval to initiate talks with Mr Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister and State Counsellor. During a two hour dialogue, Mr Doval was very affirmative and asserted that all military equipment was to be disengaged immediately. Now, it is reported that following Mr Doval’s action, Chinese tents and troops are being removed and withdrawn from a portion of the Galwan Valley. For this brilliant action, both Mr. Modi and Mr. Doval deserve accolade. All these indicate that our government has now taken up a stern attitude regarding our foreign policy to make China realize that no shrewd and surreptitious actions on its part around our boundaries will be tolerated. Above all, we also must maintain a constant vigil over our boundary along China and its surroundings to give a permanent shape to our external policy regarding China.
About the author: Sauro Dasgupta is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India. He is interested in reading, writing, public speaking and his writings have been published in many important magazines, journals and newspapers.
