How India lost leverage against China in Ladakh & why buffer zones inside LAC could resolve crisis

In this episode of #ThePrintDebates, ThePrint’s Senior Consulting Editor Jyoti Malhotra speaks to General Deependra Singh Hooda, former Northern Army Commander, and Gautam Bambawale, former Ambassador of India to China, Pakistan and Bhutan, on why Sunday’s 13th round of corps-commander level talks between India and China and how it fits into China's ambition of imposing unipolarity in Asia.
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[AO-owtt]

The main point of contention is India has unlawfully "inherited" the territories illegally separated from Tibet by the British colonizers with the Mac Mahon demarcation line which never had the consent of the Chinese Imperial dynasty and was never accepted as such by the PRC Govt.

[Love.life.ashigzoya]

India is smitten not only by sub standard politicians but damp squib and totally politicised Generalship. Chinese are smart and clear about their objectives. Problem is that Chinese feel that we are pushing American agenda in Himalayas to synchronize with US provocation in South China Sea where we are with Americans in QUAD . In ultimate analyses Chinese can't be blamed for all the military confusion on ground . The ambassador is ducking the fact that this imbroglio is largely due to diplomatic failure to achieve stabilization along the Himalayan border. Gen Hooda is right on ground assessment Ambassador is wrong by projecting QUAD to our balancing advantage . Mr Gautam seems to be trained in US neo con school as he has his values aligned with US . How can such a person project our interests ? Very worrisome . Instead of China bashing we should learn from it how to build a nation. Indian Military Veterans.

[silafaupaulmeredith]

Statement, 'India has to grow GDP by over 8% for 25 year" but in reality it is blocking ties with China inwhich it could have used to Indias advantage as what has been done by Vietnam. In 25 years Pakistan economy would be far greater than India because it is trading with China, and India would be discussing this same issue. India should address the needs of its people first and build a strong middle class and utilize its great potential. Should have invited someone independent on the panel (Kishore from Singapore for example)

[Hokumai]

Indian Democracy with a periodical election will never live up to the standard of China globally in terms of Economy, Defense, Technology etc. Bitter but a sad reality.

[bansrajmattai]

India can and should be able to deal with its own problems. After all she has her eyes set on being another superpower, which does not generally run to others for help!

[dinkan]

The problem with india is it has an army which is Pakistan centric and did not bother to change that. all of a sudden it find itself in a bad state against china...

[babbasi]

Haha that is point India alone can not even match Pakistan forget about mighty China

[pradhansushil]

To give credit where it is due, I think this is one debate where Jyoti Malhotra has desisted from interrupting the speakers too frequently. And has asked sensible questions for a change!
Good comments by both speakers too.

[gpjoshipura]

I wonder whether it is correct for the interviewer to ask the Panelists as ‘You’ while referring to India! All three are Indian!

[actioergosum]

Ask the local grazers in Chushul and other places....the buffer zones are largely on the Indian side! When will this obfuscation end??

[DineshTwanabasu]

India should focus on what is good for its economy so that it can help hundreds of millions of poor indians. It should not be a pawn of US in its fight against China. Best for India will be to play middle game and do business with both US and China, taking sides will lead to no where. China is a market of 1.4 B people while US is in decline.

[sabanaved]

The Indian Ambassador is so naïve in assuming that China's Economy and military advancement will remain frozen for the next 20 years and that in the meanwhile India will catch up by growing its economy to 20--30%. His statement is far from the reality and based on dreams that is good for the consumption of the Godi Media and Modi Bhagats. China has, last month tested its Hypersonic Missile system that encircled the earth before acting and that USA was caught by surprise, knew nothing about it and its CIA once again proved to be a worthless and ill-informed outfit. As a matter of fact, Indian militarily is about 80 years behind China who has acquired expertise in Cyber Space, 5G Technology, Hypersonic Tech, Direct Energy Weaponry, Quantum Technology, Missile Defense System, Cloud Computing, and Automation etc., India is not producing anything and relies on buying its Military hardware. USA gives only its 'B' grade tech. and France gave its outdated old technology based Rafael aircraft., which, India thinks is the Ultimate war machine through which it can conquer the world :)

[India.Freedom]

Indian should ally with all friendly countries to improve it's economy.

[parklilys]

Always blame China, not help solve the border dispute.

[peterng]

India should remain neutral on her international relationship and DON’T take side. She should concentrate on her infrastructure buildup, e.g. roads, electricity, water…etc.
I travelled to Mainland on 1980s. Everything was very primitive and she has a huge population to feed. How to give enough food to her people was the first priority at that time. Nothing is more important than giving enough food and job to her people.

[haloh]

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
"Nobody has intruded into our border, neither is anybody there now, nor have our posts been captured, " Modi said, referring to Ladakh's Galwan valley,

[alexlazar]

"China seeks global multipolarity but regional unipolarity" ne says. The way for India to deal with China is to become a global pole. And you don't become that by being the Us flunky.

[DineshTwanabasu]

If you want to present unbiased reporting then bring Kishore and Vijay prasad in interview instead of these western puppets.

[humayunbawkher]

Allowing a buffer zone within Indian territory to appease China ( like it seems to be suggested) is not a way to look at the current stalemate.

[dharma]

I still can’t forget how you called the terrorist “young man” so affectionately.
Reminds me of how my aunt calls me lovingly.