The Afghanistan cauldron –Taliban Government formation legitimate?

 The Afghanistan cauldron –Taliban Government formation legitimate?

As the Taliban militants takeover the Presidential Palace in Afghanistan

            In my previous blog, I had discussed about the historical and the then perspective of the Afghanistan crisis and its ramifications on the current day scenario.  I have waited for almost a month to check out as to how the scenario evolves and how far my analysis of the situation stands substantiated.  In my conclusion of the earlier article, just to remind my readers, I had observed as follows – “The fate of Afghanistan and its citizens, during the Taliban rule in mid-1990’s till their ouster from power, is well known the world over.  The philosophy of the group has not changed and it is only trying to portray itself as a reformed group.  However, the actions undertaken by the ordinary militia under Taliban control have not changed, nor have their mindset changed and they have already started committing atrocities upon the citizens of Afghanistan.   The United States has learnt its lesson and should not lend much credence to the so called ‘Peace accord’ with Taliban, as these fringe elements have no political compulsions to abide by the conditions stipulated therein, as is evident from the actions in recent days.  On the other hand Pakistan is heading for a huge set back, as their consistent support to Islamic militant & terrorist organizations, which is continuing unabated and hence the days for Pakistani leadership are numbered”. 

           

            It is now evident, from the details emerging about the events that unfolded in Afghanistan, that Pakistan Government and other non-State players, with overt and covert support of China were the authors of the Afghanistan episode.  The United States of America remained under the illusion that by showering its dollars, it could create enough incentive to keep Pakistan as its faithful watchdog in the region.  But despite boasting of one of the best espionage agencies in the world i.e. CIA, it could not fathom the double role of Pakistan.  Pakistan overtly showed support for USA, but covertly it continued to use the American dollars to train an array of Islamists militants like the Taliban, ISIS (K) and Haqqani Network etc.   Although some groups had broken away from Pakistan tutored ideology, like the ISIS (K) and the Teherik-e-Taliban (Pakistan), as these were more hardliner Islamists and wanted establishment of Sharia rule in Pakistan too.  It is evident from the unfolding the events since withdrawal of American forces, with the first casualty being delayed formation of the Taliban Government, which had to be postponed twice, even after announcement of specific dates and it is now evident that there was back-stabbing and arm twisting of Taliban by the ISI (Pakistan intelligence agency), to hand over major share of power to the Haqqani network.  Thus, instead of an inclusive Government, as per the ‘Peach accord’ reached with USA and Taliban, the Government is replete with a lop-sided majority of Pasthuns and here is the list -

             Let me now introduce you to the ideologue of the said Haqqani network, which is the backbone of Pakistan’s Islamic militant outfit, unlike the ISIS group that has its roots in middle east Asia, Africa and several off-shoots the world over, the Haqqani network is born and bred in Pakistan by its intelligence outfit ISI.  The Haqqani Network takes its name from the leader of the group, Jalaluddin Haqqani, who first fought the Soviet Army in Afghanistan as an ally of the CIA and the ISI and thereafter, fought the US and NATO forces.   Jalaluddin Haqqani, led a protected existence in North Waziristan, where Pakistan provided him and the entire group safe haven.  Jalaluddin Haqqani, belongs to the Zadran tribe from the Loya Paktia (Paktia, Paktika and Khost) area in eastern Afghanistan close to the border with Pakistan.   Jalaluddin Haqqani was a member of the anti-communist, anti-Soviet Hizb-e-Islami, and became active as a mujahedeen in the 1970s.  He is an alumnus of the Dar-ul-ulum Madrassa, also known as the jihad factory, in Al khora Khattak in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.  After his death in 2018, the mantle passed to his son Sirajuddin.  SIRAJUDDIN HAQQANI, 48, is the new Interior Minister — an appointment that has struck as an eye-sore for the international community, as he has been an UN-designated global terrorist since 2007 and the FBI had announced a reward of $ 10 million for information leading to his arrest. No recent photographs of him exists (none available on the internet).  The UN listing of Sirajuddin says he “participated in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of Taliban, al-Qaeda, and Jaish-i-Mohammed (now operating in Pakistan under Masood Azhar, another UN designated terrorist and known for his anti-India activities). 

The Haqqani militants in Afghanistan

            A recent report, by the Taliban Sanctions Monitoring Committee, also noted that one member state had pointed to a link between the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-KP) and the Haqqani Network, but the Committee itself was unable to confirm this. The link centered on the leader of the ISIS-KP, Shahab al-Muhajir, who “may also have been previously a mid-level commander in the Haqqani Network”.  An earlier report of the Committee had stated that “one Member State has suggested that certain attacks can be denied by the Taliban and claimed by ISIL-K (same as the ISIS-KP) with it being unclear whether these attacks were purely orchestrated by the Haqqani Network, or were joint ventures making use of ISIL-K operatives”.  As recently as May this year, a UN report described the Haqqani Network as “Taliban’s most combat-ready forces [with] a highly skilled core of members who specialize in complex attacks and provide technical skills, such as improvised explosive device and rocket construction….The Haqqani Network remains a hub for outreach and cooperation with regional foreign terrorist groups and is the primary liaison between the Taliban and Al-Qaida”.  The erstwhile National Directorate of Security, the intelligence agency of the erstwhile Afghan government, had provided communication intercepts to Indian authorities that pointed to Haqqani involvement, allegedly with ISI support. A similar claim was made by the CIA. Other reports pointed to a Lashkar-e-Taiba involvement, with support from the Haqqani Network.  Thus, in my earlier blog, I had pointed out that the attacks in Kabul airport (claimed by ISIS – K) were in fact the handiwork of the ISI backed operatives to destabilize the Taliban.  The final delayed composition of the Afghan Government reflects a total takeover by the Haqqani network by placing their operative’s at all key driver positions in the Government and the Taliban per-se getting a side window at best.  The fate and whereabouts of Mullah Baradar, the face of the Taliban at Doha and designated Deputy Prime Minister, who has become publically invisible and rumors are rife about his having being killed by the Haqqani’s at behest of ISI or being under their custody.  Further, even the supreme commander of the Taliban, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada has disappeared altogether and is also said to have been killed by the Haqqani group, as his whereabouts are also not known.  The constant and untiring efforts of the Pakistani Government at all the levels, just to gain international acceptance and recognition for the present Afghan regime, shows its deep rooted interest in the Afghan affairs.  It is now evident and clearly established on records that the present regime, which essentially consist of internationally recognized terrorists has been duly propped up by Pakistan, with the overt and covert help of China.  The presence of the Pakistan ISI Chief and likes of Masood Azhar in Kabul around the time of Government formation is indication enough about the complicity of Pakistan Government machinery and non-State players i.e terrorist groups fostered by ISI and appearance of Chinese leaders lend credence to the theory of the coup being stage managed.  In view of this scenario, none from the International communion has recognized this Government in Afghanistan despite best of efforts by Pakistan, which apparently has backfired and probably made the Afghan Taliban bid to gain recognition even more difficult.

             Probably the quick exit by USA had something to do with intelligence inputs of USA military being inflicted a big physical blow, with Chinese help, to cause international humiliation for USA, this assumption cannot be ruled out, looking at the manner of retreat of US armed forces.  The other aspect of Chinese interest could be the tit-for-tat policy against India, having lost out on CPEC, to neutralize Indian investment in Afghanistan.  From the above narrated facts, it is evident that while on the one hand USA had taken Pakistan to be an ally, albeit for money, but it was a double crossing nation that used this money to build a terrorist organization and fed it, to bleed Americans throughout their association.  The housing of Al-Qaida chief in Pakistan should have been an eye opener of USA, which should have immediately re-assessed its association with Pakistan.  The present Pakistani political leadership is only a proxy and is being run from behind the curtains by its Army and ISI.  The Pakistan establishment, since its inception, has been diverting the attention of their masses, from its internal failures and siphoning of money by Political and military elements, by spewing venom against India, especially by highlighting the issue of Kashmir.  The entire generations have been only been fed with misinformation for narrow political gains, but as a nation it has failed and is on verge of becoming a failed Nation.  In order to gain some dollars through International humanitarian efforts etc. in Afghanistan, the Pakistani establishment thought that they would install a puppet regime and then blackmail the entire region into accepting the legitimacy of the new Afghan regime.  Pakistan thought that it could have the cake and eat it too.  However, the geo-political situation is fast changing, there is internal turmoil amongst Taliban regarding role of Pakistan.  Coupled with this act of some factions of Taliban questioning role of Pakistan in its internal affairs, there is every possibility of a long drawn civil war being played out in Afghanistan, which would have catastrophic effect on Pakistan’s economic conditions, as the same is already in the doldrums.  It is my assessment that even China would not gain much from the investments it is making there, if the situation remains as such, with several factions fighting each other.  The prediction about the Civil war is palpable, as the Tajiks have been deliberately left out of governance and the Northern alliance with support of Russian backed Tajikistan would not like to see a militant terrorism exporting State at its door step.  Iran on its part has chided Pakistan for its role in Pakistan and categorically denied to recognize the present regime in Afghanistan.  Being another country that shares a sizeable border with Afghanistan, also being an Islamic theocratic State, this action is a major setback for Pakistan and Afghan Governments.  Therefore, it now appears that Pakistan has bitten more than it could chew and will ultimately, not only loose Afghanistan, but its own identity as well in days to come, either through a takeover by a Islamic militant group or through fragmentation into different ethnic groups within, because of its fool hardy approach and highhandedness of the Punjabi politicians, akin to what had happened in Bangladesh.

 © S Roy Biswas

 

N.B – All the photographs, maps, video links have been sourced from the internet – as the article is for free academic use, specific permissions have not been solicited

The Afghanistan cauldron – a perspective

 ॐ

The Afghanistan cauldron – a perspective

A deceptive tranquility - a lone soldier on guard in Afghanistan

        What is happening in Afghanistan today, has its roots in its past and to understand it, we will have to delve into its recent past and its history to chalk out a narrative.   Many of the younger generations are not aware in details of the fact about presence of outside powers dominating the geo-political scenario of the region and hence I will start this blog with a brief narrative about the History & Geography of the region, which will be followed by the modern day occupation of Afghanistan and its after affects.

Brief Ancient History

Ancient map of India in 1 AD

Afghanistan as it is known today, has its roots in the ancient times and excavations in the region, especially at Darra-e-Kur, revealed about 800 stone age implements, thereby indicating human existence in the region during 5000 BCE.  The region finds mention in ancient Hindu treatises like Mahabharata, wherein it has been referred to as Gandhara, implying that it was an ancient Hindu kingdom.  Later this region came to be ruled by the Kamboj’s and then interspersed by various Indo-Greek rulers, followed by the Mauryan dynasty.  Gradually thereafter, it came under influence of the Buddhism and Gandhara was recognized and ruled as one of the Mahajanpadas amongst the sixteen (16) Mahajanpadas existing during the 5^th-6^th Century BCE. 

Map of Afghanistan in 5-6 BCE - Mahajanpadas covering Afghanistan region

The region, being bestowed with great wealth accumulated by the rulers, started attracting various marauding groups of mercenaries, whose main aim was to plunder and loot.  The Huns were the first to attack and gain foothold in the region, as Buddhism was slowly waning in the country.  They gradually established their kingdom and came to be known a Hephthalite Empire, who were mainly responsible for the plunder and burning of the grand University of Takshashila.  The Muslim influence gained foothold in the region around 650 BCE, with the advent of multiple attacks by the Arabs and establishment of Kutub Sahi dynasty. Thereafter, the region came to be ruled by various Muslim rulers like Mahmud of Ghazni (who was basically a barbaric plunderer), Genghis Khan and Babur (founder of Mughal dynasty).  It was only in the 1700 CE that the entire consolidation of the region was possible and modern day Afghanistan came into existence.  The British took over the region from the India (Mughals) and fought many a wars to retain their hold, till they were finally defeated in 1921, in the third Anglo-Afghan war.  The period following it was that of turmoil, till Mohammed Zahir Shah took over as its ruler through a coup in 1933 and ruled for next forty years.

 Geography

Political map of Afghanistan

Geographical map of Afghanistan

            Afghanistan is a land locked region that can be geographically described to be placed in South Asia or Central Asia and hence it has a very strategic geographic location.  The main geographical relief of the country is the Hindukush mountain range that runs from the north-east to the south-west portion of Afghanistan and divides it into three major regions – (a) The Central Highlands (that account for 2/3^rd region of the country); (b) the South West Plateau (that accounts of 1/4^th of the land mass of the country); and (c) the Northern plains.  Elevation wise the highest elevations are in the North-east region of the Hindukush Mountains known as the Pamir, bordering China that gradually tapers down towards the South-west portion bordering Iran.  Afghanistan has common border with six countries and it shares its largest border alongwith Pakistan of about 1,689 Kms. that runs along the Durand line drawn by the British (which is still contested by the Afghans, as it divides the majority Pusthun speaking areas into two halves).  The shortest length of the border is that with China, which is merely 76 Kms. long corridor and the remaining four countries sharing borders with Afghanistan as running from its north-east to south-west on its western border are Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran.

 The Soviet Occupation

Soviet tanks roll into Afghanistan in 1979

            Many of the younger generation are not familiar with the name ‘Soviet’, as it now ceases to exist.  Earlier, after the end of the Second World War, the world order stood divided into two main political formations, the Capitalists/Democracy and the Communists/Single party rule.  The main conglomerate of the Communists was what was known as the United Soviet Socialists Republic (USSR for short) and comprised of countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine etc. and was ruled by the Communists from Moscow.  It was only after the disintegration of the erstwhile USSR in 1990 with declaration of Lithuania as an independent country in 1991 that other countries followed suit and by end of 1991 all of Soviet Union had been dismembered into small independent nations and biggest amongst them was Russia.

Soviet military helicopters in Afghanistan

             Afghanistan had come under Communist influence from 1953 onwards with introduction of pro-Communist Gen. Mohemmad Daoud Khan as its Prime Minister. Following the assurance of assistance for wide spread development by the then Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1956, the country started opening up for education for women etc.  The last ruler of Afghanistan Mohammed Zahir Shah was overthrown in a coup in 1973 by Gen. Khan, who then established firm ties with erstwhile USSR.  Gen. Khan was then overthrown in a coup in 1978 and the powers slipped into hands of Nur Mohammad Taraki as President and Babrak Karmal as his Deputy, who declared introduction of Islamic principles for governance.  However, they were opposed by another communist leader Hafizullah Amin. 

Mujahedeen forces fighting Soviets in Afghanistan

Mujahedeen forces in occupied Soviet tanks

The Northern Alliance firing on the Soviets

             In the power struggle between pro-Islam Nur Mohammad Taraki (with covert support of USA) and Hafizullah Amin (with support of erstwhile USSR), the former was killed in September, 1979 and in order to physically bolster their regime in Afghanistan and to subvert the covert American war, the Soviets launched a full scale military assault in Afghanistan on 24^th December, 1979.  In order to reduce Communist influence in the region, the Americans had propped up a guerilla force, who were referred to as Mujahedeen rebels, opposing the open society policy being introduced by Gen. Khan.  These rebels were being provided with arms and ammunition and training in Pakistan by the Americans.  

Invasion by Soviet Union - representation through map

         This occupation of Afghanistan by the Soviets continued till 1989 that ended after signing of peace accord in Geneva by USA, erstwhile USSR, Pakistan and Afghanistan.  However, the war continued in Afghanistan against the Soviet backed President Mohammad Naijibullah, whose tenure ended after being overthrown by the Mujahedeen led by Ahmad Shah Masood in 1992.  The Mujahedeen had in the meanwhile become more politically active and formed an umbrella organization called Taliban in 1995 and took over Kabul in early 1997.  President Mohammad Naijibullah took refuge in the United Nations building in Kabul, but after remaining holed up for about four months, he was brutally killed by the Mujahedeen/Taliban in 1997, after storming the UN building and hanging him publicly on an electricity pole.  It would also not be out of place to mention here that the so called Al Qaida was also nurtured by the USA during their covert war in Afghanistan, which became its nemesis in 9/11 attack in 2001.

 An old video of Soviet era in Afghanistan

(https://youtu.be/fZI1AIggBl0)

The American Invasion

Operation Enduring Liberty - B-52 bomber of US forces - October, 2001

            The prelude to the American invasion of Afghanistan is more important than the actual event itself.  After the fall of Kabul in 1992, a series of infighting had started amongst the Afghan warlords to consolidate their political positions on ground for being able to rule Afghanistan.  Due to this constant conflicts taking place within the country, coupled with droughts and total absence of any central governance, the people of Afghanistan were getting impatient and wanted peace.  By 1995 another faction of the Mujahedeen emerged as Taliban, who promised peace with enforcement of strict Islamic/Sharia laws that included total seclusion of the women and assumption of power in Kabul.  Slowly this faction gained full control of Afghanistan and enforced strict Islamic laws including Public amputations, stoning to death, executions etc.  The people of Afghanistan got fed up of this daily torture, coupled with repeated droughts etc., started taking refuge in neighboring countries in large numbers.  The USA had refused to grant recognition to this Taliban Government, which upped the ante against it.  In the meanwhile, the group called Al Qaida that had been propped up against the erstwhile Soviet rule by the Americans, had turned into a Frankenstein for the Americans, having bombed two American embassies in Africa in 1998.  Probably the Taliban was in cahoots with the Al Qaida, as the operations were effected from the Afghan soil.  President Bill Clinton had ordered retaliatory cruise missile attacks on the Al Qaida operatives, but their leadership survived the attacks unscathed.  The name of Osama Bin Laden had started surfacing, as the brain behind the bombings of American embassies, but the Taliban regime in Afghanistan refused to extradite him, during the request made by the US in the year 2000.  The intolerant Taliban regime carried out the bombing and destruction of the ancient Bamiyan statues of Buddha, despite international uproar in the year 2001. 

The 11th September, 2001 attack by Al Qaida in US - known as 9/11

The only known warlord fighting the Taliban at that point of time was the ‘Lion of Panjshir’, leader of the Northern Alliance, Ahmed Shah Masood, who was clandestinely assassinated by Taliban posing as journalists on 9^th September, 2001.  The final straw was broken, once the Al Qaida operatives carried out the 9/11 (11^th September, 2001) bombings of various commercial buildings in American cities by using hijacked planes.  Despite requests for handing over Osama Bin Laden, the Taliban regime refuse to do so leading to bombing of the Taliban targets by US and British forces on 7^th October, 2001 and the ground forces enter action twelve days later.  Simultaneously the Northern Alliance, agitated by their leaders assassination, attack Taliban and after weeks of war reach Kabul and enter it on 13^th November, 2001 forcing the Taliban to retreat. 

Airlifting of US forces in Afghanistan in 2001

US forces in Afghanistan

            A caretaker Government led by President Hamid Karzai was installed in Kabul with the backing of the United States in 2001 and thereafter he won the elections and continued as the President till 2014.  In the meanwhile whereas the American forces slowly took over the command and control of most the regions of Afghanistan through the active co-operation of the NATO forces.  The Al Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden was finally killed by the American forces after tracing his location to Abbottabad a suburb of Islamabad in Pakistan on 2^nd May, 2011.  Thereafter, in 2012 when an American soldier massacred sixteen (16) Afghan civilians in their homes and there was a huge ‘hue & cry’, the President of Afghanistan called for reduction of American soldiers and giving them a limited role in Afghanistan.  In the year 2013 the Afghan army/police took over most of the security and military operations from the Americans.  In 2014, the then US President Barak Obama announced significant reduction of US forces in Afghanistan and by December of the same year NATO forces ceased from active military missions and remained only to train the Afghan forces.

Wounded US marine being evacuated in Afghanistan

Afghan forces standing guard in Afghanistan

            In the year 2017, President Donald Trump refused to withdraw totally from Afghanistan stating that he was not inclined to leave as it was likely to create – “a vacuum for terrorists”.  This was followed by signing of a peace deal between the USA and Taliban in February, 2019 whereby the American forces were to leave by May, 2021.  However, this deal was abrogated by the US President in September, 2019 after a US soldier was shot dead by Taliban insurgents.  However, by November 2020 it was announced by the US Government to reduce its strength to 50% of its existing one by January, 2021.  Thereafter, the new President Joe Biden in April, 2021 announced total withdrawal of US troops by 9^th September, 2021.

 Present day conditions

Fall of Kabul to Taliban being celebrated in Pakistan with distribution of sweets

            The hasty withdrawal of the forces by the US, without first arranging for the withdrawal of the international citizens on priority basis, working in Afghanistan for the US led forces, has jeopardized the entire withdrawal process.  It is total lack of common sense as well as evaluation of the Taliban’s credentials by the present US President that has led to this turmoil.  The acts on part of American troops of abandoning the Bagram Air base on 5^th July, 2021 without even mandatorily informing the Afghan armed forces personnel stationed there, shows the thorough lack of intent and professionalism on part of the US armed forces.  Especially, the stealthy night retreat and cutting off of the electricity connection emboldened the Taliban, who started believing that the US Army was running away because of their fear. This had, on the other hand, sent a totally opposite signal to Afghan soldiers.  The Afghan soldiers felt abandoned and brooded about some big operation on part of Taliban was imminent, because of the manner in which such a hasty retreat had been executed by the US army, leaving behind tons of war related vehicles, guns, ammunitions etc., which have now fallen into Taliban hands.  The system of US army being supported by local contractors for running the day to day affairs also collapsed suddenly with the sudden withdrawal of the US army and the Afghan soldier that was trained by the US Army in this specific manner of combat, were all at sea in absence of these contractors, who abandoned their work as payment due to them for executing the works was not available.  Buoyed by the manner of US army withdrawal, the Taliban fuelled by new energy and vigor, upped the ante and entered Kabul on 15^th August, 2021 and overthrew the Afghanistan Government.  President Ashraf Ghani, in the meantime had fled from Kabul on the previous day fearing Taliban takeover, which I find is logical on his part, looking at the fate of late President Mohammad Naijibullah met at hands of Taliban in 1997.

Suicide bomb attack on Kabul airport on 27th August, 2021

          There are thousands of Afghans who fear persecution for being part of the Government or having worked with or for the US interests in Afghanistan and by providing the list of such citizens to the Taliban for allowing them entry into Kabul Airport, by the US Army, have jeopardized their lives.  However, the entire Kabul is now in the hands of Taliban, who are not allowing the residents to move freely.  On night of 26^th August, 2021 there were human/suicide bomb explosion in the Kabul airport gate, in which more than thousand have been injured and many civilians killed alongwith 13 US Marines and about 28 of Taliban (including their elite Red Brigade commandos).  The ISIS (Khurrasan) has overtly taken responsibility for these attacks, but the fact remains that these terrorists were in Afghan Police custody in Bagram and duly released by the Taliban only recently.  The entire evacuation process now stands in a disarray, due to the short foresight and rank bad execution of the repatriation process of the US armed forces, under the Joe Biden administration

The Afghanistan cauldron

The Taliban forces guarding Kabul

Like the case of Taliban and Al Qaida being hand in glove during the late 1990’s, the link between ISIS (Khurrasan) and Taliban both of which, have been nurtured in Pakistan, with active connivance of the United States in 1980’s and now independently by Pakistan, with the active support of China, cannot be ruled out.  This dastardly act on part of the ISIS has put the entire region into a geo-political flux.  The USSR had singed it’s hands in the 1980’s and the US which had nurtured the Mujahedeen then, have now faced their own Frankenstein and consequently singed their hands as well, having lost money, time, arsenals and pride.  Now as is evident from the recent meetings the Chinese had with the Taliban (the Taliban leaders reached China on Pakistani passports), it appears that China has not learned it’s lessons from the history of the region and is playing with fire as well, albeit from behind the curtains, but it will probably meet the same fate as the other super powers. 

The Taliban militia in Kabul

The Islamists are never true to their words and act only with one point agenda of perpetrating terror, for propagating their religious  beliefs and imposing it onto others and establish Islamic rule on those, whom they consider as ‘non believers’ or ‘Kafirs’.  Chinese belligerence in engaging with their ethnic Muslim populations, referred to as the Uyghur’s, by repressing them by use of brutal force is well known the world over.  As soon as the Taliban and ISIS consolidate their hold in Afghanistan, they will look towards their immediate neighboring countries, including China to liberate their brethren and establish Islamic rule there.   The other probable reason for Chinese interest in the region, could be the inherent fear of India taking over Pakistan occupied Kashmir, thereby jeopardizing the entire CPEC project.  By striking a deal with the Taliban for providing passage for CPEC through Afghanistan in lieu of money, recognition etc., Chinese leadership probably believes that they will bypass the Western countries and India, in implementing the CPEC project.  However, the acts of terrorism in Pakistan against the Chinese engineers etc., which could be only for gaining sympathy from the world, in a clandestine deal with Pakistan, if not, then these acts should ring a bell that conditions in Afghanistan are even more harsher than those in Pakistan and it may have to pay a much heavier price than it bargained for.

The so called elite Red brigade of the Taliban on road side

Russia, which looks upon itself as the successor of the USSR, on the other hand is also enjoying the show and using clandestine techniques to keep the Taliban going, for teaching a lesson to the US, for having perpetrated this group in the 1980’s against them.  In this scenario, it appears that the Americans have deliberately left behind a huge cache of arms & ammunition that include small arms, combat vehicles and even small man portable surface to air missile units, to keep the area simmering for the days to come.  But if the Taliban is able to consolidate its position and power in Afghanistan, it will definitely look for associations with ultra-terrorist Islamic groups like ISIS, Hamas etc. and look towards its Islamic neighbors like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan for imposing the radical Islamic governments there.  This in long run is going to hurt the Russian interests as well, so Russia should follow the old proverb of – “Once bitten, twice shy” and Russia should take all remedial measures available with it, to stop Taliban before it grows roots and dismantle it, by providing help and assistance to the other factions fighting the Taliban, in consonance with the proverb – ‘A stitch in time, saves nine”.

What is in stake for India

            The entire nation of Pakistan is fed on a single propaganda from the day one of their births i.e. to liberate Kashmir from India.  This agenda is propagated with gusto for the public consumption by all political parties in power or outside and even the Military establishment, as a tool to deflect the public opinion from other burning issues like lack of infrastructure, food scarcity, spiraling inflation etc.  Over the generations, the Pakistani establishment as well as the public is so encompassed with this notion of liberation of Kashmir that they now have been made to believe that Taliban will deliver Kashmir to them.  However, as the Taliban, having become politically austere, after the 2001 debacle, is now showing unwillingness to interfere in political affairs of other nations, for the present.  But the Pakistan establishment is getting restless and had sent the wanted internationally proclaimed terrorist Hafiz Saeed of the Jaish-e-Mohammad to Kabul, as the Pakistani establishment wants to project before its masses, as to how big geo-political coup they have engineered in Afghanistan, which will pave way for freedom of Kashmir.  However, the statement issued by Taliban does not meet their expectations and hence apparently they have now reined in the ISIS (Khurrasan) into the Afghanistan cauldron, to intimidate Taliban, for meeting their demands of causing unrest in Kashmir.  The main aim of Pakistan is to shift focus onto Taliban, so that it can state before the world forum that Pakistan has no control over Taliban.  This has become a necessity for Pakistan, as its consistent sponsored insurgency of terrorists into Kashmir is now publicly known the world over and it has now been internationally cornered and exposed for such activities related to state sponsored terrorism. 

The Taliban militia in Kabul

             Therefore, India should beef up its security along the Pakistan border and also now use unbridled fire power, without bothering for civilian casualties etc. across the border, if Pakistan allows its soil to be used for any kind of terrorist activity in Kashmir.  This is the perfect time and opportunity to hit back and finish what Pakistan started decades ago, since Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan is now crystal clear before the world community and some of their leaders have openly admitted to the same. 

Conclusion

The fate of Afghanistan and its citizens, during the Taliban rule in mid-1990’s till their ouster from power, is well known the world over.  The philosophy of the group has not changed and it is only trying to portray itself as a reformed group.  However, the actions undertaken by the ordinary militia under Taliban control have not changed, nor have their mindset changed and they have already started committing atrocities upon the citizens of Afghanistan.   The United States has learnt its lesson and should not lend much credence to the so called ‘Peace accord’ with Taliban, as these fringe elements have no political compulsions to abide by the conditions stipulated therein, as is evident from the actions in recent days.  On the other hand Pakistan is heading for a huge set back, as their consistent support to Islamic militant & terrorist organizations, which is continuing unabated and hence the days for Pakistani leadership are numbered, as the proverb goes – “As you sow, so shall you reap”.  Pakistan’s home grown terrorist organizations like Tehrik-e-Taliban (Pakistan), is an ideological offshoot of the Taliban ideology and terrorists like Hafiz Saeed, in order to achieve their ends, may try and take over the political establishment in Pakistan in lines with the Taliban.  In such a scenario, the Pakistani nukes may find way into hands of the Islamic terrorists, who can use them to strike anywhere in the World, including United States or other European countries, Israel and India and also China could be targeted. 

The Northern Alliance fighters in the Panjshir valley in Afghanistan

There is an old local proverb that goes as – “It takes a thorn, to take out another” (literal translation of the proverb), the factual simile of this proverb implies that since it was the Northern Alliance in late 1990’s that had ousted the Taliban from Kabul, only they can now be relied upon to take on the Taliban.  This Northern Alliance is fighting for their pride and nation, which is a big a commitment viz a viz the Taliban’s religious commitment.  With a huge chunk of Afghan army personnel, duly trained by the US, having joined forces with the Northern Alliance, the world powers should provide them all kind of support needed to overcome the current debacle and set up a rule of law in Afghanistan.  The past history has well established that direct outside interference does not work in Afghanistan and only a local group can control the situation better and appropriately.  Accordingly, as of now the Northern Alliance is the only hope before the world to establish a long lasting peace in Afghanistan.

© S Roy Biswas

N.B – All the photographs, maps, video links have been sourced from the internet – as the article is for free academic use, specific permissions have not been solicited

What ails China? An analysis of Chinese expansionist policy

What ails China? An analysis of Chinese expansionist policy

A schematic representation of how China is trying to capture parts of Ladakh 

             I have been perturbed with the Chinese behaviour of needling all its neighbours needlessly over decades and now it appears that it has upped the ante.   All this happening when the world is struggling with Chinese virus and now it appears through the circumstantial evidence evolving on day to day basis that the virus had been deliberately spread to hamper the world economy and establish its hegemony.  However, it appears that the Chinese virus could not achieve in totality what it was spread for, but the Chinese regime that had already chalked out a pre-determined strategy and now cannot go back on it, having suffered huge financial losses themselves.  In order to unravel this peculiar mind set of the Chinese regime I started studying the Chinese actions of the past and this post is more India specific in its analysis.

What China is trying to negotiate by threatening war with India - the illegal CPEC arrangement with Pakistan

             In order to understand the Chinese leaders and their psyche, one will have to go through their history.  Although China has one of the most ancient histories that has survived through ages since pre-Christian era and having contributed towards science, textile and other agrarian sectors during its illustrious history, but it has been time and again plagued by foreign dominance starting from Kublai Khan an Mongol war lord, who had brought entire China under his tutelage.  There were many illustrious dynasties that ruled the region from time to time like the – Zhou Dynasty – Quin Dynasty – Han Dynasty – Tang Dynasty – Song Dynasty – Yuan Dynasty (Kublai Khan) – Ming Dynasty – Qing Dynasty – period ruled by Sun Yet Sen (Kuomintang’s) and finally by Mao Tse Tung (to read in detail about the timelines and achievements etc. of these rulers - http://www.localhistories.org/china.html).  However, the period, in between 1890s to 1930s particularly, was one of the most disastrous periods of Chinese history and there were conflicts and loss of land in wars etc.  China was mostly restricted to southern region along the South China Sea and can be demarcated along the norther borders along the Great Wall of China that had been drawn to protect it from invasion by Mongols, Turks etc.  Therefore, it can be said that there was no authoritative rule in entire China as it is, as of today and especially during the period mentioned i.e. 1890s to 1930s.  

This is how the Chinese slaughtered their citizens during Mao's rule - Harbin on Sept. 12_1966 shot by famed photographer who had hid these images under the floor of his home - Li Zhensheng

             Now to draw the pointer to the present day dispute with China, it relates to the same time line when China was at its lowest ebb as stated above.  Tibet too has a long and ancient history that has faced attacks and subjugation in the past and the longest such rule was by the Mongols.  However, during the 13^th to the 16^th century A.D, the Mongol rulers were influenced by Buddhist teachings, which had to large extent taken over the older Bon religion, which was in practice in Tibet and the Mongols had appointed Dalai Lama as the religious-political leader (also referred to as priest ruler by some historians) of Tibet under protectorate of the Mongols.  However, due to internal conflicts the country witnessed several upheavals until the 6^th Dalai Lama was disposed of by the Mongols in 1705 A.D, but they were not able to rule as another Mongol warlord of Dzungars clan invaded Tibet and killed Lahsang Khang the Mongol ruler.  The Chinese got worried over the growing clout of the Mongols and sent an ambassador called Amban to Tibet with some forces and therefrom the Chinese assumed that they had become over lords of Tibet.  The Tibetan religious leadership thereafter isolated themselves from all sides and became a reclusive kingdom.  But due to geo-political conditions, assuming that Russia may annex this region, the British invaded Tibet in the early 20^th Century, to be precise this invasion started on 3^rd December, 1903 and ended on 4^th September, 1904.  During the invasion the Dalai Lama fled to Mongolia and the Chinese Amban declared that the Dalai Lama had been deposed, but the locals hardly believed him and after extracting some concessions from the Tibetans, the British withdrew as they never wanted to rule Tibet.  Fearing that Tibet may become entry point for British to invade China, the Chinese rulers invaded Tibet in 1909 and the Dalai Lama fled to India.  However, this Chinese invasion was short lived and they were over thrown by the locals in 1911 and the Dalai Lama returned to Tibet in 1912.  However, in 1913 the Chinese again took control of some parts of Tibet and seeing this aggressive posture, the British entered into a treaty, known as the Shimla Accord signed on 3^rd July, 1914, whereby a line dividing inner and outer Tibet was drawn by Sir Henry MacMahon.  This agreement was signed by the Tibetan representatives, but the Chinese plenipotentiary Ivan Chen declined to sign it.  The line drawn by Sir Henry MacMahon is known as the present day ‘MacMahon line’ and forms the basis of dispute.  By this agreement the inner Tibet region comprising of Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces were to be governed by Chinese and the remaining region of outer Tibet including Lahsa would be ruled by the Tibetans through Dalai Lama, further the agreement stipulated that China would not absorb Tibet under any conditions.  Although the Chinese repudiated this agreement, but it is evident from records that during the signing of this treaty with Tibet the Chinese had no direct control over Lahsa and hence had no direct say in this respect, as per International Laws.  The Chinese again invaded Tibet in 1918 but were beaten back and this further establishes the fact that Tibet was never under direct control of China ever.  The Chinese made several attempts to over-run Tibet in 1920s and 1930s, but finally they annexed Tibet in 1951, with country like India taking a spectators seat for reasons best known to the political establishment in power at that point of time.  The Tibetans never agreed to this Chinese annexation of their Country and stood up in revolution in 1959 that was brutally crushed by the Chinese military.  To read more in detail about the history of Tibet - http://www.localhistories.org/tibet.html. 

Dalai Lama arrives at Tawang in 1959

The then Chief of Army staff Lt. Gen. B.M Kaul whose wrong assessment lead to defeat of Indian inadequately armed soldiers 

                 The modern day China came through many revolutions against the central autocratic rule and the Qing Dynasty was last to rule was Empress Dowager, Cixi who was deposed in 1912 through abdication of throne.  The stone had been set rolling by one Mr.Sun Yet Sen who formed the revolutionary alliance in 1905 and loosely knit an association of like-minded persons, known as the Literary Society, who started gathering to force a revolution.  However, during the preparations of the revolution, a bomb went off in one of their offices in 1911 and sensing that the Government might come down with a heavy hand, they started the revolution albeit prematurely.  The Qing ruler finding himself overwhelmed by the number of regions voluntarily ceding from the Qing dynasty rule, requested a dismissed General known as Yuan Sikai to help them regain control.  However, when the troops of the General were repulsed at Nanjing, he changed sides and joined the revolutionaries and forced the ruler to abdicate her throne in 1912. As per the agreement entered into with the revolutionaries, General Yuan Sikai became the first President of Republic of China, with Sun Yet Sen’s Kuomintang emerging as the largest party.  The General had no intention of sharing power and so he dispersed the National Assembly in January, 1914 after having disbanded the Kuomintang in Dec., 1913.  However, the General died in 1916 and China entered into a state of anarchy, being ruled by several war lords and split into many parts.  In between this the Communist Party of China was formed by Mao Tse Tung in 1921 and on the other hand although the Kuomintang was banned, it had simply shifted base to Guangzhou province in China.  Taking advantage of the break down in the system, the Kuomintang embarked upon a plan to unite China and formed an army of about 1.50.000 which marched north and defeated several warlords in 1926 and large parts of north China was brought under rule of the Kuomintang.  After consolidating the powers, the Kuomintang embarked on the northern expedition again in 1928 and in April, 1928 it entered Beijing and China finally came under a central rule.  Therefore, from this it is amply evident that there was no absolute ruler in China who could have participated in any negotiation with any foreign ruler in respect of any third country i.e. Tibet and hence the claim of China about any suzerainty over Tibet during this particular period of time is totally a fallacy and based on false premises. 

A schematic representation of MacMahon line in Arunachal region

The position of MacMahon line in disputed region of Ladakh

            Now coming to the period of consolidation of China, after having forged the Communist party in China in 1921, Mao Tse Tung launched a peasant’s revolution in 1927 known as the ‘Autumn Harvest Uprising’, but the same was crushed by December, 1927 by the Kuomintang government.  There was a bitter sweet relation between the Kuomintang and the Communists that led to the Kuomintang declaring that China was not ready for democracy and Chiang Kai Shek became the dictator in 1930.  The communist continued to oppose the Kuomintang and in 1930 another rebellion was launched by Communist under leadership of Li Lisan, but this too was crushed.  Finding it difficult to directly confront the Government, Mao Tse Tung devised the modern day warfare (that is now used by the Naxalites) called the Guerrilla warfare, whereby they would make sudden attacks and then disappear, thus bleeding the Government forces and wearing them down.  Peeved at this activity, the Kuomintang Government decided to encircle the guerrilla warriors and encircled them in 1934 and finding himself cornered Mao Tse Tung decided to break through the cordon and alongwith 90,000 of this associates he broke through the cordon and started his march north wards and this is known as the ‘Long March’ by the Chinese, but at the end only 20,000 odd had survived this long journey.  Due to attack by Japan in 1937 there was a brief cease fire between the Kuomintang and Communists, but after Japanese attack had been repulsed and Russia having taken over Manchuria from Japanese handed over this region to the Communists and thus established Communist rule there in 1945.  The war between the Kuomintang and Communists again commenced in 1946 and after final war that took place in between 1948-49, the Communists finally took Beijing on January, 1949 and established the present day Communist regime.  Although it has had its ups and downs, but the expansionist policy of the party remains at the core of party politics.  The first example was the annexation of Tibet in 1951 and countries across remained largely uninterested, as this region hardly had any international significance in form of industry or natural resources.  The United Nations did not take any collective action and this had emboldened China to go on its spree of expansionist policy, albeit non-descript portions surrounding it.  Here is a map depicting the expansion by China over the years (as sourced from the internet) –

The China that is marked in purple was its initial holding and the remaining has been grabbed by it later 

            After having taken over Tibet as a cake walk, China started seeking control over all of the so called ‘Outer Tibet’ and after Dalai Lama crossed over to India, in aftermath of the rebellion being quelled by the Chinese army in 1959, to Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh then referred to North East Frontier Agency (NEFA for short).  The autocratic ruler Mao Tse Tung who just went by his own interpretation of his sense of justice and rule of law, in pursuance of his own myopic vision, had not flinched even once in killing over 1.5 million Chinese during the so called revolutions and his indignant behavior can be judged from the fact that during famine in China, he ordered killing of Sparrows stating that they ate the seeds, which in turn resulted in swarms of locust on whose spawns the Sparrows kept a check, through process of natural selection, thus aggravating the famine conditions in China.  Mao Tse Tung believed himself to be some kind of super person and through the Cultural Revolution of 1960s he tried to impose this thought process on his vassals too.  It now appears that being peeved at the safe passage granted to Dalai Lama by the Indian Government, it appears that Mao Tse Tung wanted to teach India a lesson and was looking at ways and means to do so.  Therefore, the Chinese Government machinery came up with the idea of repudiating the MacMahon line and challenging it (Here is a link to an article about this boundary dispute - The McMahon Line: A hundred years on - https://idsa.in/idsacomments/TheMcMahonLine_rskalha_030714).  It would be imperative to place here on record that despite the fact that the Chinese had no authority to negotiate the Shimla Agreement of 1914, as is amply established from the geo-political scenario existing at that point of time and detailed above, yet it tried to raise this issue.  The Chinese being opportunists, were lying in wait for the right time to strike and coupled with the poor military management by the Nehru Government, especially role of Lt. Gen. B.M Kaul, who reached that spot through nepotism, India allowed China an golden opportunity and in October, 1962 during the period when Cold War was at its height and both USA and USSR were tangled in the ‘Bay of Pigs’ controversy and also the Cuban missile crisis, China thought it fit to attack India as both super powers were engaged elsewhere.  The Indian army was ill equipped and during my visit to the Military Museum in Tawang, it could be seen that our soldiers not only were not having appropriate clothing and footwear, but also weapons of bygone era i.e. vintage 303 Rifles with a very poor range as against advanced SLRs and sub-machine guns of the Chinese Army.  Our then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru  abjectly surrendered and even stated on Radio apologizing to the Assamese people for loss of their territory to China, all this because of his skewed up thought process of Panchsheel.  The Chinese never gave a damn to his idea or ideals and made a mockery of him internationally and India lost its face internationally and Mao Tse Tung has had his revenge.

Standard Indian army equipment during Sino-Indian war in 1962 (see the quality of rifle)

Standard army issue of Chinese guns to its soldiers during 1962 (so you see where the difference lay)

Remember present day stand offs seen in media now a days - the attitude of Chinese was same in 1962 also

            But having had access into India so easily during the 1962 war wherein it had wrested control of about 42,000 square kilometers of Akasai Chin in Ladakh region, had emboldened the Chinese.  Further, there were various journalists in Britain and Australia (named Neville Maxwell), having a colonial mindset and upset with the Golden egg i.e India having been taken away from their kitty, pushed the theory that it was in fact India which was the aggressor in 1962 (Here is the link to the column that was published in 2011 - WHOSE TAWANG? A Dispute Within the Sino-Indian Boundary Dispute By Neville Maxwel - https://chinaindiaborderdispute.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/nmaxwelltawangsevensisterspostnov2011.pdf ).   These are the reasons, of the skewed perception of China created and built up by the paid media influencers, as to why Australia is today are at the receiving end of the Chinese tirade and as admitted in the Australian Parliament.  However, despite limited setbacks in 1967 war at Nathu la and Cho La suffered by the Chinese and off late the hard stance taken by India during the 2017 Dokalam incident that lasted for about 70 days, China still remains highly motivated about its own capabilities as on paper and its syndrome of grandeur.  Even the sound thrashing the Chinese troops received at the hands of Vietnamese troops in 1979 did little to dampen their spirits or drive in the harsh reality of a paper dragon as against a battle hardened army.  Due toLa the over indulgence of Chinese by the Western world that appears to have had a bias to deal with a previous vassal and thus being less than equal and as China had never been subjugated the Western world thought that they would continue with their economic imperialism and get goods manufactured in China at low rates and sell it all across the world and make easy profit.  But China had its own ancient saying/phrase tao guang yang hui (韬光养晦), “keep a low profile” in the context of China’s diplomatic policy.  The phrase was used by Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s and literally meant that - “observe calmly, secure our position, cope with affairs calmly, hide our capacities and bide our time, be good at maintaining a low profile, and never claim leadership.”  The Chinese bided their time and gathered the technology by reverse engineering and stealing i.e. by hook or by crook as the saying goes.  Although China by the current rate of growth would have achieved the numero uno position in world economy by 2040s.  The current President Xi Jinping, it appears has lost out the last and most important portion of advice of the Chinese saying totally – “….and never claim leadership”.  Apparently Xi Jinping, in order to prove himself to be a far bigger leader than Mao Tse Tung, thought of becoming the world leader by deceit and spread the Corona virus with the intent to subjugate the entire world order economically or through economic imperialism (you can check out my blog why I claim that the Corona virus was spread by China deliberately by clicking on this link - http://shantanuroybiswas.blogspot.com/2020/04/case-study-whether-sars-covid-19-is-man.html).  It appears that the intent of Xi Jinping was apparently was to celebrate 100 years of formation of Communist Party of China in style that is due in 2021 and establish himself as the greatest Chinese leader of all times in annals of history. 

How China tried to deceive India, but failed because of brave sacrifice by our armed forces of Bihar Regiment

          However, it is now evident that he started his campaign twenty years too early, as he was still not in a position to take on the world single handedly.  The Chinese in pursuance of the goal set forth by their President Xi Jinping started with domination of South China Sea region by needling Vietnam, Philippines and even Malaysia as it wanted to dominate the corridor between Arabian Sea (for supply of Oil etc.) and Japan alongwith Korea, both being adversaries in business as well as politically.  China had constructed a chain of artificial islands and tried to claim 200 nautical miles as its exclusive Economic Zone, in total disregard to the laid down International Laws, in this regard.  It is also peeved with India for having sided with Vietnam in field of off shore Oil exploration in the region and the unreported naval skirmish in which India had again bloodied the Chinese nose in the recent past, as reported in some press.  The sudden reaction from the North Korean despot by jumping into the simmering Geo-political struggle and by upping the ante with nuclear threats etc. appears to be a well-rehearsed and pre-meditated strategy by the Chinese.  This includes the recent events happening in Pakistan, which too has ramped up its terrorist and cross-border activities alongwith cyber-attack on Australia, appear to be a concerted effort to subjugate the world order.  The recent political and provoking stand taken by the Government of Nepal on behest of the Chinese is apparent on the face of it.  The role of the female Chinese ambassador to China is now at the forefront and poor Oli might become a victim of some MMS sooner than later, establishing the extent the Chinese would go to achieve their target. 

Area captured by China in 1962 and also regions illegally ceded by Pakistan

             The development of India as an economic force along with the ability to provide manufacturing hubs to European and United States based industries was one of the fall outs that had been foreseen by the Chinese think tank, in worst case scenario, if the Corona war failed.  Therefore, China and Pakistan first got together to launch the Corona war through the now infamous ‘Tabiligi Jamat’ members, who had been indoctrinated stating the Corona and Koran were synonyms and the Muslims would therefore not be affected by this virus.  This has resulted in the catastrophe that is happening in Pakistan today and coupled with it presence of Uighur Muslims who had entered India through third countries and spread out in rural areas of India, cannot be discounted to be part of the China-Pakistan warfare against India.  But apparently, it did not have the desired impact as Prime Minister Modi was quick to implement the lockdown and thus, avoid immediate and catastrophic impact of the virus upon India.  Having failed in this attempt and coupled with the decision taken by India to make Ladakh a Union territory forced the Chinese to take note of the fact that apparently their game plan had been exposed.  Therefore, it was wary that like its historical acts in the past, if India thinks of doing the same, it might get dislodged from Aksai Chin and India might also take over Gilgit and Baltistan, which would be a death knell for the CPEC/OBOR corridor and about 45 billion dollars would go down the drain, which would be a huge embarrassment for Xi Jinpeng and may cost him his Presidency.  Knowing fully well that all the three corridors i.e. Aksai Chin, Gilgit and Baltistan occupation was illegal by China and Pakistan and it would not get any assistance from any International forum for this, Chinese thought to pressurizing India into an agreement to cede territory and back off from war at this juncture of economic deprivation that is prevailing the world over including India.  The incident in Galwan River valley on the ensuing night of 15^th to 16^th June, 2020 was a well thought out plan by the Chinese side to first destabilize and demoralize the Indian armed forces and after suddenly attacking the Indians to gain the advantage and consolidate their position deep inside thereby threatening the Daulat Bagh Oldie road and negotiate for OBOR on this premise.  But the turn of events left the Chinese red faced, as the paper dragons were beaten fairly and squarely by the battle hardened professional Indian army that sent jitters down the spines of the fancy Chinese army personnel.  Having lost the desired advantage and also getting exposed, the Chinese side is now busy trying to get a face saving exit, but having ventured too far this time around, it is finding it in no position to back out easily, as the false ego of their leader i.e. President Xi Jinping, having taken China to threshold of third world war, he now cannot simply back out, as he might lose his status and tall claims he perceived himself to be and to be read as in history books, would all go in vain.  Further, there are several reports of simmering discontent within the army i.e. PLA both retired soldiers as well as a faction within, who have been treated very badly and have put the actions of President Xi Jinping in question.  So this war cry is more of an attempt by Xi Jinping to remain entrenched and re-establish himself within the party as of now.  His vision as a world leader, so that his name remains etched there in the annals of Chinese history and what he perceived to portray and establish during the centenary year celebrations of the Chinese Communist Party, has all but disappeared and apparently he will go down in history as the leader who led to annihilation and total collapse of last Communist nation i.e. China akin USSR under leadership of Gorbachev.

            All the same, the Chinese cannot be trusted, as throughout their history as well as personal traits, it appears that they are back stabbers and not trustworthy at all. Apart from the activities listed hereinabove, there are a few more developments that have taken place and should find mention.  Russia was the country that provided the Chinese Communist Party a foothold in modern day China, by handing over the region of Manchuria, it had gained from Japanese after the Second World War.  However, despite its best effort, as it was unable to dissuade Russia from providing weaponry to India, the Chinese have resorted back to their habit of seeking land expansion policy as a blackmailing tactic, have now claimed Vladivostok being part of Haishenwai before Russia annexed it via unequal Treaty of Beijing.  This reflects its true color and creed i.e. ungrateful and back stabber.  In pursuance of its efforts to gain hegemony the world over it has also made territorial claims on Bhutan's Trashigang district that includes its capital Timphu.  So instead to showing restrain to maintain world peace and tranquility, it appears that China is on an expansionist policy and any show of back out should not be taken on its face value, but the world order should ensure its demilitarization and break its economic hegemony, akin to what was done with Germany after Second World War, as China may retreat today strategically, but will return back with same intentions a few years later, if not purged at this stage.  Indian army should also stand along its border till such time that the Chinese Army withdraws its forces from beyond striking range, as it may feign withdrawal and then turn back and attack with full force, as it did in Galwan valley, which was saved by the sheer will force and professionalism of our armed forces.   Whereas on one hand after every round of talks, China speaks of reducing tension in the region, but in the same breath is increasing its military deployment on an everyday basis in the region.  It appears that our Political leadership has analyzed the situation well and made mirror deployment to match China and today’s visit to Ladakh by our Prime Minister, is a direct message to China that its expansionist policy will no longer be tolerated any adventurism will be answered in a ‘Quid pro quo’ and this is the only language that the Chinese understand.  JAI HIND.

© S Roy Biswas

N.B – Most of the photographs have been sourced from the internet and those shot by the author carries the embedded copyright instructions