Category: Union Territory

Apart from Pakistan and its involvement in the Kashmir conflict, India may now have a third party in the game — Beijing

By: Happymon Jacob

Sometimes, a seemingly rhetorical statement or a symbolic political decision has the undesirable ability to fundamentally alter the material reality around a particular issue, especially when it comes to sensitive international disputes and conflicts. The impact of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government’s decision on Kashmir in 2019 on the current China-India military standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is one such phenomenon. As a political scientist, I am aware of the apparent “methodological overreach” in my attempt at linking the two even though it might not be an analytical overreach. Consider the following.

What is becoming clear now is that by “inventing” a rhetorical position around the issue of Aksai Chin, a territory India may never have intended to take back by force from China, New Delhi seems to have aggravated the existing Chinese sensitivities on it. Put differently, India’s infrastructure-building activities on its side of the LAC and the China’s China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) connectivity to Pakistan were already on a collision course, and it seems the reorganisation of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) on August 5 last year, and the rhetoric surrounding it, may have finally triggered a conflict that was building up for a long time.

The ground reality

The impact of August 5 has been felt on two fronts — China and Pakistan. Official data show a steady rise in violence in Kashmir since 2014, and the August 2019 decision has done little to reduce this despite the restrictions of movement and a heavy security presence in Kashmir. Early trends on violence in 2020 show that the levels of violence will indeed cross those of 2019.

The impact of August 5 goes beyond a mere spike in violence in Kashmir. Since August, retired Pakistani officials close to the establishment have argued that in the wake of India’s Kashmir decision, the Simla Agreement of 1972 — which forms a key basis of bilateral relations, including the management of the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir — is not valid anymore. The Pakistani side argues that the Indian decision vis-à-vis Kashmir goes against the spirit of the Simla Agreement since the agreement states that “pending the final settlement of any of the problems between the two countries, neither side shall unilaterally alter the situation….”. This of course does not take away from the fact that Pakistan has altered the situation in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) several times over in the past.

If this indeed reflects an emerging official thinking within Pakistan, this might have serious implications. For one, this would mean that the agreement governing the India-Pakistan border in J&K will no longer be the Simla Agreement but would, as a result, have to be the one signed between the two sides in Karachi in 1949, at the end of their first war in 1948. Since the Simla Agreement formalised several territorial changes which took place after 1949 and until December 1971, such territorial adjustments could become null and void. This raises two specific issues. For one, since the current ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan (declared in 2003) is essentially a reiteration of the ceasefire agreement declared at the end of the 1971 war, this could mean an end to the existing ceasefire agreement between them. Second, if “Simla is dead”, does it mean that the LoC that came into being (replacing the ceasefire Line in 1971) also stands nullified? In other words, the entire basis of India-Pakistan negotiations on J&K since 1972 may cease to exist if Pakistan decides to undermine the Simla Agreement, or accuse India of having done so by the August decision and then decide not to abide by it.

The China challenge

Let us return to the impact of August 5 on the current India-China stand-off. It was clear soon after the August decision that Beijing was deeply uneasy about India’s decision for at least two reasons. One, India’s strong official claim about a territory, Aksai Chin, that has been under the Chinese control; and two, bringing Ladakh under India’s central rule annoyed Beijing since it considers Ladakh’s borders to be disputed between them. From Beijing’s perspective, the August decision also complicated the ongoing boundary talks between the two sides. Pakistani appeals to Beijing to push back against India may have sharpened the Chinese reaction. There is also some similarity between the Pakistani and Chinese positions on India’s August decision: both sides argue that India changed the status of a territory (J&K) whose borders were still being negotiated.

Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s visit to Beijing in August 2019 and his assurances to China that India’s decision had “no implication for the external boundaries of India or the Line of Actual Control with China. India was not raising any additional territorial claims. The Chinese concerns in this regard were misplaced” did not calm Beijing. Mr. Jaishankar was right about the implication of the reorganisation of J&K, but not the Home Minister’s statement about Aksai Chin. China took the position that India “continued to damage China’s territorial sovereignty by unilaterally modifying the form of domestic law” and that it was “unacceptable”.

Fallout of India’s official stand

Cut to June 19, 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after an all-party meeting to discuss the LAC stand-off, stated: “Neither is anyone inside the Indian territory nor any of our border posts captured.” Notwithstanding the clarifications from his Office, leading to even more controversy, the question is whether this was a deliberate climb-down from the August rhetoric so as to calm nerves in Beijing. We do not know. What we do know, however, is that the climbdown, if indeed that was the case, was not only ineffective but may also have had the opposite effect. Going by the Chinese statements thereafter, the Prime Minister’s clarification has clearly been used by Beijing to justify its position on the LAC. It could now further embolden China to undertake more border raids and land capture attempts.

For both India and China, the region is of great strategic importance. For India, Chinese aggression close to Eastern Ladakh could frustrate its hold over Siachen glacier and compromise its security in the western frontier given the close partnership between Islamabad and Beijing. For China, the region is important for the CPEC and its access to Central Asia, both of which are part of its “Belt and Road” grand strategy.

More worry

More so, as a second-order consequence of the August decision, New Delhi may have unwittingly brought China and Pakistan closer than ever on the Kashmir question. From being somewhat neutral on the Kashmir question in the 1990s and 2000s, China today is an aggrieved party, or so it claims, in the Kashmir conflict. If Pakistani involvement in the Kashmir conflict were not enough, we now have China in the game as well as a much more powerful third party.

Furthermore, we have always known that China and Pakistan shared a formidable strategic alliance and yet, by wisely deemphasising that and dealing with them separately — not as a strategic alliance — New Delhi had contained their combined effect on itself to a great extent. Not anymore. Our strategy should have been to continue to weaken the China-Pakistan alliance by engaging China economically, multilaterally and regionally. Instead we may have brought them closer than ever.

The lesson is self-evident. A country the size of India can ill-afford to be narrowly tactical in its foreign and security policy decision making. Geopolitics in Southern Asia is changing way faster than we previously imagined and, therefore, our decisions should not be made based on tactical and political considerations, but on cold, clear-headed strategic assessment.

Happymon Jacob teaches national security at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

With inputs from The Hindu

This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed

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PTI

Srinagar: Two unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Sopore area of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, police said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Hardshiva in Sopore area in north Kashmir Thursday morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

He said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants fired upon a search party of the forces, who then retaliated.

Two militants have been killed so far, the official said, adding that the operation was still in progress.

Jammu: The CBI has registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) to probe allegations of land grabbing and corruption by an educational trust run by ex-Jammu and Kashmir minister Choudhary Lal Singh, who had quit BJP following a row over the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl in Kathua, officials said on Thursday.

The officials said that PE has been registered against R B Educational Trust of Kathua and unknown public servants to probe the allegations of illegal gratification and extraneous consideration by the revenue and forest officials of district Kathua in allowing sale and purchase of forest land.

According to the CBI’s PE, it is alleged that false certificates that such land comes under exempted category under JK Agrarian Reforms Act were used in its purchase by the educational trust, the officials said.

Singh, when contacted, refused to comment on the developments.

The preliminary enquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleges that the trust, a beneficiary of such alleged illegal acts, continues to be in possession of huge tracts of land in gross violation of ceiling prescribed under Jammu and Kashmir Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976, they said.

It also alleged that false information was submitted in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir on June 9, 2015 vide an affidavit filed on a public interest litigation to favour this trust, the officials said.

The CBI in some cases does a Secret Information Report (SIR) which is converted into a PE only after verification of facts. During the preliminary enquiry, the agency tries to find if prima facie material exists to move ahead with a formal registration of a case also known as a Regular Case or FIR to start investigation.

During the preliminary enquiry no searches can be conducted or no one can be summoned for recording statements without consent.

Singh had last year quit the BJP and floated Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan (DSS).

He and the then industries minister Chander Prakash Ganga had resigned from the PDP-BJP led dispensation in 2018 after questions were raised over their participation in Hindu Ekta Manch rally organized in support of those arrested in connection with the rape and murder of the eight-year-old girl in Kathua that year. (UNI)

New Delhi: China has brought back the tent-like structure that Indian troops had destroyed on June 15 near Patrol Point 14 in the Galwan Valley, escalating tensions that were expected to cool down after Monday’s corps commander-level talks. ET has reliably gathered that Indian troops have physically verified the reappearance of a tent and this has been spotted in fresh satellite imagery as well.

Both sides had vacated the site after the deadly clash in which 20 Indian soldiers led by Col Santosh Babu were killed. The Chinese tent was removed during the skirmish, following which the two sides agreed on talks through senior military and diplomatic channels. The construction of a new tent even as talks make slow progress is bound to have a debilitating impact on efforts to disengage the troops, added sources.

Sources confirmed that satellite images show significant construction activity by the Chinese side at Patrol Point-14, including new defences and a hardened shelter for troops. Further, those familiar with the details told ET that at least 15 pockets of PLA troop concentration have been identified on the border between Pangong Tso and Daulat Beg Oldie. These include additional troops that were moved along the LAC following the clash at Galwan. India has countered this by stepping up deployments on its side.

Heavy Chinese Deployment Along LAC
Chinese troop deployments along the LAC have apparently crossed 10,000. “Offensive Chinese deployments are seen at many locations, some of them reinforced with tanks and artillery. They are also supported by additional troops posted further back,” a source aware of the situation told ET.

At Galwan Valley, where 20 soldiers died on the Indian side and China too lost an unspecified number of personnel including a commanding officer, the situation remains tense as fresh satellite images show that PLA has been constructing defences. Since the clash, China has accelerated road works and seems to be creating infrastructure to house troops at Patrol Point 14, an area that earlier was only patrolled.

“It will be right to assume that the troops are at the highest level of alert possible in all sectors. This is also the time for routine Op Alert exercises for both sides. Therefore, there are a large number of exercising troops available to both the armies,” sources said.

Besides Galwan and Pangong Tso, two other areas of concern are the Depsang plains near DBO and the Gogra Post.

At Depsang, Chinese armoured formations have amassed along the LAC, while a 2-km deep incursion has taken place near Gogra, where PLA troops are deployed.

The fear in Depsang is that the Chinese might move to their claim line, which currently varies between 15 km and 20 km on the Indian side of the LAC. As seen at Galwan and Pangong Tso, PLA has moved up to its claim lines and has been demanding that Indian troops fall back.

With inputs from The Economic Times

Budgam: Budgam police and army’s 2RR arrested five associates from Narbal area during a search operation on Thursday morning.

Police officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the militant associates have been identified as, Imran Rashid resident of Kurhama Budgam, Ifshan Ahmad Ganie
resident of check kawoosa, Owais Ahmad resident of Kawoosa khalisa, Mohsin Qadir resident Kurhama Budgam and Aabid Rather Resident of Archanderhama Magam.

Police said that the group was involved in providing logistic support and shelter to active militants of LeT. They have been active in the area for last few months.

Incriminating material has been recovered from their possession and case FIR no 101/2020 under relevant sections of UAPA has been registered in police station Magam and further investigation taken up—(KNO)

“Kashmir region is one of the places I am most curious about and want to travel to and determine a few places for the documentary project.”

Esra Bilgiç, who plays the fearless Halima Sultan in the super hit Turkish series, Diriliş: Ertuğrul, says that she would love to visit Kashmir and feature the country in her documentary project.

In an interview with Hello Magazine Pakistan, Esra, who is currently studying Law, shared that she has written a documentary project about “how nature responds to us in all circumstances.”

“The destroyed agricultural areas, forests ruined by urbanization and the habitats of animals which could return to their former fertile states in such a short time. No matter how much damage we do to nature, it hugs us every time we go to it,” said Esra.

She continued: “I intend to reach villages and mountainous areas that have difficulties, due to financial deficiencies and access to natural resources. I want to help the local people, to listen and photograph their problems, and to make everyone aware. In the quarantine period with the team in Turkey, we have identified a few places. I want to complete all our preparations — and after a few photography classes— get to work.”

The actor then expressed her desire to visit Pakistan for her project.

“I hope that my first visit to Pakistan will take place as part of this documentary project,” she said. “I want to photograph the geographical topography, the vegetation and the exotic sites. I love the mountainous areas of the Babusar Kaghan Valley; the views overlooking the Valley of Leepa in Kashmir; the camp plan in Concordia and the amazing Deosai plateau.”

Esra added: “In fact, the Kashmir region is one of the places I am most curious about and want to travel to and determine a few places for the documentary project.”

Meanwhile, talking about the success of the series, Esra said she cannot thank the audience enough for their love and that the success has motivated her to excel more.

“To know that the character to whom I gave life as an actor, embraced like this, is the biggest reward I could get. Literally it is like a prize,” exclaimed the actor.

On why Ertuğrul resonated so well with the audience, Esra said: “The fact that a movie series or music finds a response in people living in other cultures proves that emotions are universal. The main theme of the Ertuğrul was not to remain silent in the face of injustice, to stand by the oppressed and to fight for justice.”

“I believe that the people’s love for Ertuğrul has led them to embrace our similarities, especially in the ways we express emotion.

–Agencies

PTI

Leh: No fresh COVID-19 case was reported in Ladakh on Wednesday and as many as 126 people, who were being treated for the disease, were discharged from hospitals after recovery, health department officials said.

While 119 recoveries were reported from Kargil district, seven were from Leh district. With these, the total number of people cured of the disease has increased to 274 in the union territory, they said.

Ladakh has recorded a total of 932 COVID-19 positive cases till now, including a death, the officials said.

The number of active cases in the union territory stands at 657, they said, adding that the condition of all patients is stable.

There are 503 active cases in Kargil and 154 in Leh, the officials said.

Meanwhile, Kargil District Magistrate Baseer ul Haq Choudhary directed head of departments and district officers not to go out of station or allow their staff to do so without obtaining prior permission from the competent authority in view of the prevailing situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The officers/officials must remain present at their station during this crucial situation,” read a circular issued by Choudhary, who is also chief executive officer of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil.

Non-compliance of the instructions would be viewed seriously and action shall be initiated against defaulters as per rules, the circular stated.

PTI

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) was on Wednesday reconstituted with the induction of six new members, an official notification said.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary B R Sharma was appointed as the chairman of commission last month.

Lieutenant governor Girish Chander Murmu on Wednesday appointed the six new members of the JKPSC.

The new members of commission include director general of the prosecution department Ahfadul Mujtaba, former development commissioner Syed Iqbal Aga, retired associate professor higher education Showkat Ahmed Zargar, former IFS officer Sameer Bharti, chief engineer PWD, Jammu, Des Raj and former district and sessions judge Subash Gupta.

They will hold the position of a member of the JKPSC till they attain the age of 62 years, it said.

Mujtaba, who was an inspector general police, oversaw the investigation into the January 2018 rape and murder case of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua.

The Chinese statement mentioned the exchange of “candid and in-depth” views on the border situation and how both sides should earnestly implement the “important consensus” reached between the Foreign Ministers during their June 17 phone conversation, and “actively cooperate” with the armed forces to implement outcomes reached at the June 6 and June 22 military talks.

The Chinese Defence Ministry, however, struck a jarring note, echoing Beijing’s claim to the Galwan Valley. “China has sovereignty over the Galwan Valley region and the Chinese border troops have been patrolling and on duty in this region for many years,” it said. This is the first time that the Chinese armed forces have staked claim to an area that India says is well within its territory.

With inputs from The Indian Express

Senior sources in the Army confirmed that “the tent which was removed on June 15 has been reported back by our ground troops at PP-14 (Patrolling Point 14)”. Reached for comment, the Army did not confirm or deny the existence of Chinese structures visible in the satellite images.

As India and China hold diplomatic and military talks to disengage troops along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, new satellite images show that the Chinese have built a defensive position at the Galwan Valley site of the June 15 clashes in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed.

Senior sources in the Army confirmed that “the tent which was removed on June 15 has been reported back by our ground troops at PP-14 (Patrolling Point 14)”. Reached for comment, the Army did not confirm or deny the existence of Chinese structures visible in the satellite images.

The images from Maxar, a space technology company, are from June 22 and show that the Chinese have built a defensive position “astride” the LAC near PP-14. The position has been built between June 16 and June 22 because Planet Labs satellite images of the location on June 16, a day after the clashes, do not show any such infrastructure.

On June 20, the Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement, had said that “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”.

After analysing the new satellite images, Lt General (retd) AL Chavan, who also served as Division Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, responsible for eastern Ladakh, told The Indian Express “it appears to be a proper defensive position which has been developed by the Chinese”. He said it appears that “the hillside, which is to the southern side, has also got some defensive positions”

“Between June 15 and June 22, it is clear that the Chinese have developed that position,” he said.
Chavan said “about 20-30 soldiers can occupy the position” which appears to be an equilateral triangle “with approximately 65 metres frontage”.

Army jawans pay gun salute to Rajesh Orang during his last rites at his ancestral village Belgoria in Birbhum district of West Bengal, Friday. (PTI)

He said he was not sure if the position was built on the Indian or the Chinese side of LAC “because without an accurate survey and enlarged maps, ascertaining the exact alignment of the LAC as claimed by the two sides is not possible”. But “definitely one thing is clear that it appears to be astride the LAC,” he said.

Lt General (retd) AL Chavan, who also served as Division Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, responsible for eastern Ladakh, told The Indian Express “it appears to be a proper defensive position which has been developed by the Chinese”.

“If it is on our side of the LAC, it changes the status quo, because defences have been developed,” he said.

But even if it is not, Chavan said, “as per the agreements, which we have in force since 1996, they are not supposed to be developing these defences where there is a difference in perception. Such a construction clearly violates the agreements”.

He said PP-14 should be around the junction of the Galwan Nala and the Nala coming from the north and that “all the patrolling points have been so developed that our perception of the LAC lies ahead of that”.

A former Army Commander, who has also served in the region, said the structures appear to be “stone walls with sheets on top for protection against the weather,” which can be used “just to house troops”.

In the meetings between Corps Commanders of the Indian and Chinese armies on June 6 and June 22, it was decided that as part of stage-wise disengagement, a de facto ‘buffer zone’ will separate the troops — the clashes on June 15 had taken place over vacating this buffer zone.

With inputs from The Indian Express