News Analysis
JK NEWS TODAY
The US Department of War in its report on China for Congress has looked at Indo-China developments through magnified glass, and claimed that Beijing is taking advantage of the reduced tensions along the LAC- Line of Actual Control – and solidifying its bilateral relations with Delhi. The objective , it observes , is that Beijing probably seeks to capitalize on the decreased tensions at the borderline to stabilize bilateral relations and prevent the deepening of US-India ties.
It is a squinted view of India’s standing and foreign policy imperatives . India conducts its relations with neighbours, and distant neighbours as with the countries across the world in its national interest with cornerstone being mutual peace and harmony . It stands upright ; neither right or left .
In its annual report to US Congress – Military and Security Developments Involving China – the Department of War places an extraordinary emphasis on the role of People’s Liberation Army ( PLA) in pursuing and advancing Chinese foreign policy , this particular point on the Indo-China and US -India relations has been mentioned in 131 words. But the messaging has been painted on much bigger canvas where China is interpreted as tilting toward India, largely because of its intents to probably prevent India deepening its ties with the US. It also makes it a point to focus on what it feels that “ India remains probably remains skeptical of China’s actions and motives.” It also added that continued mutual distrust and other irritants almost certainly limit the bilateral relations.”
This American assessment is based on its own relations with China which have seen many ups and downs, especially during the Trump 2.0 . There has always been competition between the US and China on several issues , particularly Chinese actions in South China sea, Japan, Taiwan , and South East Asia . Washington is also wary of China- Pakistan relations as it is once again trying to woo Pakistan to its side. The US is keen to be friends with India , but Trump 2.0 has different notion and assessment of the country which is fastest growing economy in the world.
America wants the world through its prism as if it is the sole super power that it once was for most of the period of post-Cold War era. It is taking time for Washington to realise that history has not come to an end with the break-up of the Soviet Union . Russian President Vladimir Putin , who was recently on India visit, keeps on reminding the US that it still is a global power with a little difference . It is a power in the multipolar world .
The LAC tensions is a reference to tense military standoff between PLA and the Indian Army for more than four-and-half years – April 2020 to October 2024. The Chinese troops came threateningly close to the LAC in clear violation of the peace and tranquillity agreement between India and China . These tensions went up to next level when India lost 20 of its soldiers, including a Commanding Officer in clashes at Galwan Valley . That clash was reminiscent of stone age ; Chinese troops used rocks, cemented poles studded with nails. That made India to respond with mobilization of troops in a clear messaging enough is enough. And there was no repeat of Galwan of June 15/ 16 till the de-escalation of tensions in October 2024. During the whole period of military standoff, India dealt with the situation on two planks- military readiness to meet any eventuality , and at the same time invested deeply in dialogue and diplomacy. The whole idea was to prevent clashes on the LAC and at the same time not allow the world to pay undue attention to the strange conflict in Himalayas .
A point that always escaped the attention of the world was that India not only rejected third-party mediation – Trump in his first term had offered to intervene and settle the matters- but it never aired the standoff at LAC in the international forums .
America has apparently failed to appreciate thus resilience of India and its faith in its own policies . It knew what it was up against , and found the solution too.
This is what Department of war told in its report . “ Developments along the LAC with India. In October 2024, Indian leadership announced an agreement with China to disengage from remaining standoff sites along the LAC two days before a meeting between President Xi and Indian Prime Minister Modi on the side lines of the BRICS Summit. The Xi-Modi meeting marked the onset of monthly high-level engagements between the two countries, where parties discussed border management and next steps for the bilateral relationship, including direct flights, visa facilitation, and the exchange of academics and journalists. China probably seeks to capitalize on decreased tension along the LAC to stabilize bilateral relations and prevent the deepening of U.S.-India ties; however, India probably remains skeptical of China’s actions and motives. Continued mutual distrust and other irritants almost certainly limit the bilateral relationship.”
America , by its own experience should have known that where India stands . It rejected all the suggestions of President Trump that he brokered ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May 2025 . He kept on repeating it , now it is almost 70 times , still India is not changing its stance that Pakistan requested and India granted ceasefire that too without any future concessions to Pakistan . Delhi told Pakistan , which is drawing closer to the US, that any future terror attack on the Indian soil will be treated as an act of war and responded accordingly. America is entitled to draw its own conclusions , but the fact remains India’s power and standing cannot be underestimated .
