Amid simmering border tension over Dokalam in Sikkim, China state-controlled media has said that Hindu nationalism risks pushing India into war with China.
An article published in China’s Global Times has hit ou at Prime Minister Narendxra Modi saying, “Nationalist fervor that demands revenge against China has taken root in India since the border war. The election of Indian PM Modi has fueled the country’s nationalist sentiments. Modi took advantage of rising Hindu nationalism to come to power.”
“This, on one hand, has enhanced his (Modi’s) prestige and ability to control the country, but on the other, has made India more subject to the influence of conservatives, thus hampering reform. In diplomacy, New Delhi is demanded to act tougher in foreign relations, especially toward countries like Pakistan and China. The border row this time is an action targeted at China that caters to the demand of India’s religious nationalists,” the article read.
The Chinese media outlets have been spewing venom against India, ever since the two Asian giants got engaged in the standoff in the Dokalam area near the Bhutan tri-junction since last month after a Chinese Army’s construction party attempted to build a road. Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.
In the wake of an Army face-off and chill in ties with India over Dokalam stand-off, China has moved tens of thousands of tonnes of military vehicles and equipment into Tibet, a report said on Wednesday.
Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, quoting the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Daily said, “The project took place late last month and involved hardware being moved simultaneously by road and rail from across the entire region.”
Amid the ongoing standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at the Dokalam area, the PLA also conducted live-fire exercises in Tibet.
State-run China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the PLA conducted live-fire exercises in Southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.
India has said Beijing’s action to “unilaterally determine tri-junction points” violated a 2012 India-China pact which says the boundary would be decided by consulting all the concerned parties.
The Indian Army is ready for a long haul in holding onto its position in the Dokalam area near the Bhutan tri-junction, notwithstanding China ratcheting up rhetoric against India demanding pulling back of its troops.
The Indian soldiers deployed in the disputed area have pitched in tents, in an indication that they are unlikely to retreat unless there was reciprocity from China’s PLA personnel in ending the face-off at an altitude of around 10,000 feet in the Sikkim section.
A steady line of supplies is being maintained for the soldiers at the site, official sources said, signalling that Indian Army is not going to wilt under any pressure from China.
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