China – Bull in China Shop

Bikash Choudhury

The recent cancellation of border talks between India & China due to Buddhist conference in Delhi, apparently convey Chinese mindset about the importance it attaches to such talks and more importantly to the entire engagement with India. Indian Govt. very rightly but with caution and politeness called off the Chinese bluff by canceling the border talks altogether. This event is not likely to register with the hard nosed Chinese diplomatic community; unless and until India learn to brag about its importance and nuisance value with respect to the peaceful settlement of Tibetan issue(India has graciously taken on the responsibility of Tibetan refugees due to Chinese excesses on peace loving Tibetan Buddhist). If there can be a Bonn conference on Afghanistan; identically, Indiacould tacitly initiate a ‘New York conference on Tibet ' with an understanding in South Asia, Europe and American continent. Indian people have an emotional attachment with His Holiness Dalai Lama and a deep cultural link with Tibet and its people; therefore, Indian foreign policy response must evolve keeping in view of the sentiments of Indian people, National interest and ever changing Chinese behavior-“Bull in China shop”. Chinese betrayal of 1962 should just be kept in mind to fend off arguments in favor of ‘status quo’ with respect to policies on Tibet. India should be under no obligation; as China continues to disregard Indian sovereignty on the State of Arunanchal Pradesh and on portion J & K. Humiliation that India suffered on account of staple visa to defense delegation must not be brushed aside. There is a Chinese method to this madness and India could unapologetically copy the strategy by raising the issues of gross human rights violation, poor working conditions for workers and freedom of press & personal liberty as National policy for doing business with China; the same could also be driven into the minds of largest trading partners of China behind the closed door confabulation in the diplomatic communities; which has tremendous potential to hit China very hard under the belt.