IASbhai Daily Editorial Hunt | 1st July 2020

“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” –Nathaniel Hawthorne

Dear Aspirants
IASbhai Editorial Hunt is an initiative to dilute major Editorials of leading Newspapers in India which are most relevant to UPSC preparation –‘THE HINDU, LIVEMINT , INDIAN EXPRESS’ and help millions of readers who find difficulty in answer writing and making notes everyday. Here we choose two editorials on daily basis and analyse them with respect to UPSC MAINS 2020.

EDITORIAL HUNT 99 :“India China at McMahon Line | UPSC“

R. Sudarshan

R. Sudarshan is Dean of the School of Government and Public Policy, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana.

HEADLINES:

In ending stand-off, magnanimity must prevail

CENTRAL THEME:

India’s border dispute with China calls for peaceful resolution, and has no place for moral outrage or military might

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2: IR

MAINS QUESTION:

Border Issues can be resolved peacefully with table diplomacy.War is not the solution for McMahon Line. Discuss -(GS 2)

LEARNING:

Concept of Soft Power
Best Trade Practises
How Should India Move a head

INTRODUCTION:

India’s oft-quoted mantra when it comes to international relations has been vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the earth is our only family).

In Shanghai just five years ago, in 2015 , Both the Leaders met at Buddhist monk, Xuanzang.
This was symbolic-in terms of aatmiata (soulful intimacy), nikatata (closeness) and bhaichaara (solidarity).

There could not be more genuine and sincere affirmation of the spirit of friendship.

BODY:

KEEP A COOL HEAD

BORDER CLASHES : These deaths on the frontier are a tragic break in an admirable record of avoiding casualties on both sides, despite face-offs on numerous occasions.
PEACEFUL DEMARCATION : Both sides have accepted that the border between the two countries must be settled by agreement for the sake of peace.

China has refused to recognise the McMahon line and the demarcation of boundaries done by the British colonial power.

AGREEMENTS

PENDING FINAL SETTLEMENT : India and China signed the Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China Border Areas, in 1993.
Agreement on Confidence Building Measures in the Military Field along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China Border Areas, signed in 1996 contains a specific clause related to the use of firearms by both sides:

Neither side shall open fire, Cause bio-degradation, Use hazardous chemicals, Conduct blast operations or Hunt with guns or explosives within two kilometres from the Line of Actual Control.

This prohibition shall not apply to routine firing activities in small arms firing ranges.

INHUMAN CLASHES

Apparently, this provision was respected by both sides during the clash on June 15.
Tragically, they fought much more barbarically, with nail-studded sticks, knives and stones, causing inhuman suffering.
This incident threatens unofficial partition of territories that has stood the good test of time:
Aksai Chin is claimed by India, but China, de facto, rules;
China claims Arunachal Pradesh, but India, constitutionally, rules.

No war has permanent winners.No losers can willingly accept defeat.

The only way to resolve disputes, in post-nuclear times, is through negotiations, as equal powers, with mutual respect.

CHINA’S RECORD

FIRST ATTEMPT : During his visit to India in April 1960, China’s Foreign Minister Zhou Enlai made a proposal to settle the boundary dispute.

It was rejected by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

SINO INDIA WAR : History must record that as a lost opportunity which has had tragic consequences.
CHINA FLEXED MUSCLES : It refused to recognise the authority of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
VIOLATING UNCLOS AT SEA : It ruled that China had breached its obligations under the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and Article 94 of UNCLOS concerning maritime safety, and that China violated international obligations.

WEIGHING IN ON THE OPTIONS

What must matter to India is whatever is good for its people.

MILITARY STRENGTH : Focusing on strengthening military might, when the economy is suffering and COVID-19 is taking its toll, will not be wise.
BOYCOTT : Nor is it wise to call for a boycott of Chinese imports.
SANCTIONS DO NOT WORK : Sanctions and boycotts are justifiable only when there is strong moral justification.

Boycott of South Africa during the Apartheid period was justified and it served its purpose in hastening South Africa’s turn to equality and democratic governance.

RESOLUTION : But India’s border dispute with China calls for peaceful resolution, not moral outrage.
BOYCOTTING GOODS : If India boycotts goods from China, it will hurt itself more and barely make a dent in China’s economic prospects.
WORLD PHARMA : India is lauded as the pharmacy of the world because it is able to import essential raw materials from China.
EXPORTS : India’s sports goods exports are likewise dependent on imports from China.
The world buys Chinese goods because their quality and price are compelling.

IASbhai Windup:

THE HOME WATCH

OSTRACISM : India must be on guard, in the aftermath of current tensions with China, not to unleash any kind of hostility against anyone, especially resident Chinese nationals.
SHREWD DIPLOMACY : That warm and gushing expressions of friendship towards China will not stop hostilities; only pragmatic and shrewd diplomacy can do that.
Oscillating to the opposite end and attacking China as the enemy is not wise.

India should emulate China in its manufacturing practices and agility to adapt to international demand.

SOURCES: THE HINDU EDITORIAL | India China at McMahon Line | UPSC

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