strategic edge
   Date :04-Sep-2020

strategic edge_1 &nb
 
 
 
THE sense of shock in the Chinese camp can well be imagined realising that with its smart, proactive, anticipatory moves, the Indian Army has acquired several strategically important high points in Ladakh inside of 72 hours. The aggressive Indian action left the Chinese Brigadier-level commanders with no options but to withdraw to safer distance back into their own territory. With the Indian troops well ensconced deep within the Chinese territory, international media, including the Chinese, has talked of the development as one of tremendous strategic importance whose impact Beijing is less likely to get over in a long time.
 
The most important and visible impact of the Indian action was that China’s diplomatic language and tone changed to milder levels of protests that surprised the world. In a series of statements that came in shockingly quick succession from several places like Beijing, New Delhi and elsewhere, China registered its protests against India’s military action -- which was in tune with the assertion by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat just a few days ago that India would be left with only military option if Beijing did not listen to voice of reason during the disengagement talks.
 
It was more than obvious that Chinese side had not taken General Rawat’s assertion seriously, and perhaps felt that it was more a bravado than statement of intended bravery. And then came the shock of all times to the Chinese troops that were so totally surprised and shocked to the Indian troops already well-entrenched at two strategic heights -- Helmet and Black Top -- giving India a strategic advantage over a large area. The Chinese also realised that the Indian troops had smashed all the electronic surveillance devices they had installed there for their use. The Indian troops also followed up with capturing Finger 4 area as well plus a couple of other critical features that gave them a major strategic edge. All these developments happened in so quick a succession that the Chinese were totally flummoxed and retreated to safer distance back in their own territory.
 
No matter what happened to the Chinese pride, but the developments have given India a good idea of the likely shape of things to come in case of further escalation of hostilities. Many defence analysts had been stressing all along that the Chinese have only built a hype around their military muscle -- which should be read as its economic prowess -- and India is fully capable of tackling the challenge. The recent developments prove this in ample measure -- enhancing Indian people’s pride for their Armed Forces and strategic thinking of military as political leaderships. The confident assertion by General Bipin Rawat that India could take the military option to sort things out was proved correct, again bolstering the overall confidence the people have in the ability of the leadership to take hard decisions.
 
 
In fact, this is a greater gain than anything else. The developments also communicate to the world that it has to deal with a India that is altogether different what it used to be way back in 1962 when the Chinese Army humiliated the nation. Of course, there also were some historic realities that remained hidden from public eye in 1962. One of those realities was that the Indian political leadership then did not allow the Army to function professionally, and was pushed thoughtlessly into action with a confused purpose. The political leadership then also had ignored professional advice given well in advance to launch a higher level of defence preparedness.
 
It also made multiple diplomatic blunders to compound the national loss. India’s current leadership has analysed those errors well and is keeping itself well in tune with the larger national purpose and preparedness. It is sparing no efforts in terms of allocation of funds and in terms of diplomatic engagement. All this has given India an edge over the Chinese in all theatres of action -- something so amply proved in the past six-plus years. The latest Ladakh developments just reiterate all this cumulatively.