Geopolitics

Kashmir: India-China-Pakistan Triangular Conflict
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Issue Net Edition | Date : 14 Sep , 2014

Should the Saichen Sector even be discussed?

The Siachen Sector is enclosed by the Soltoro Ridge in the west and the Karakoram Range in the north and east, while the Indo-Pak faceoff is over domination of the Soltoro Ridge, which India holds. At the same time, it is pertinent to mention that the sector has even more difficult borders with China, which are unmanned. The Indian sector enclosed by the Karakorams and the Soltoro Ranges, is the only piece of real estate over which India has operational control, and by virtue of its shape and location, this acts as a strategic wedge between Pak and China as can be seen on the map. Since both of India’s protagonists have converging interests in the region, the importance of this narrow wedge, juxtaposition between them remains invaluable for India.

Since both of India’s protagonists have converging interests in the region, the importance of this narrow wedge, juxtaposition between them remains invaluable for India.

It also needs to be reiterated that the triangular standoff that exists in the sector, is only one component of the larger India–Pak-China conflict and therefore cannot be seen in isolation. Chinese military presence in Gilgit-Baltistan, adds to the volatility and raises the importance of India’s hold over this strategically invaluable ‘frozen waste land.’ It is also pertinent to highlight that the Shyok River Axis connects Aksai Chin to Gilgit and therefore offers a shorter, easier and direct route between Chinese held Aksai Chin and Pak held Baltistan. This therefore offers a lucrative objective with strategic overtones in the Sino-Pak collusive games that can be played out against India in the future.

Thus while it is reiterated that there is no strategic mandate for a discussion on the subject, there are three basic questions which need to be answered before any decision can be considered by India. First, ‘can demilitarisation be verifiable and accountability apportioned? Second, does demilitarisation mean that Pakistan accepts the Indian interpretation of the LC/AGPL running along the watershed of Soltoro till the Karakorams. Third, will the potential safeguards guarantee that China, who already controls the Shaksgam Valley and occupies Aksai Chin, will not make her own moves southwards? India needs these answers before any ‘self-defeating’ decision is takenon the future of the sector; till the time there is no alternative mitigating these factors, it is strongly recommended that this be taken off the diplomatic agenda. Connected to the above is another issue that merits taking a diplomatic initiative.

The Line Joining NJ 9842 and the Karakoram Pass

The US Air Force had been using the Peshawar airbase for under-taking U-2 spy missions during the Cold War. In order to facilitate navigation and as a matter of practical convenience, American Aeronautical charts started linking the two defined points in the sector and this translated as a straight line extending from NJ 9842, the last defined point of the LC to the Karakoram Pass, the only recognised point on the Sino-Indian border, a distance of 140 kms. By default, this (navigation) line placed the territory to its north under Pakistan occupation. This come to light in 1962, when Americans using the same charts, made innumerable landings at Leh, in support of India in the Sino-Indian war. However, not only was the issue glossed over, but even the opportunity provided by the 1963 Sino-Pak border (illegal) agreement of Shaksgam remained unused; perhaps as a result of the recent debacle.

While the Shimla Agreement again provided the opportunity to rectify this ‘omission,’ for inexplicable reasons, the Indians again let the matter rest. Around that stage, many nations, taking a lead from the USA and Pakistan, started showing this ‘navigation’ line as an extension of the LC between Indian and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir in their maps, which was never the case and the absurdity of drawing straight lines as frontiers in mountains where the international practice is to delineate boundaries along the watershed, was never pointed out forcefully. The correction of this historic anomaly even at this belated stage needs focussed attention. Given the direction of the US-India strategic partnership is taking, resolution of this issue and correction of international maps would further their common cause.

While the Shimla Agreement again provided the opportunity to rectify this ‘omission,’ for inexplicable reasons, the Indians again let the matter rest.

Recommended Stance against Pak sponsored Incidents/Intrusions

In principle, the Indian counter strategy should aim to nullify/mitigate the ‘P’ factor in the Sino-Indian-Pak equation. This can be done by taking a pre-sumptive stance against Pakistan’s military activism and put her on the defensive-both diplomatically and militarily. This should be backed a clear call that New Delhi reserves the right to react to provocations, especially those emanating from the ‘disputed’ territory of J & K. At the same time, internationally acknowledged terrorists and criminals must be hunted down and there is no need for India to be apologetic for her actions taken in pursuance of ‘natural justice.’ In consonance with the above, India needs to take a firm stance against the spectre of terror emanating from Pakistan and this must include the option of undertaking ‘punitive pre-emptive retaliation’ within its operational gamit, since following a ‘reative’ policy has failed India on many occasions. If this strategy can be executed effectively using a combination of means, its backlash would cause Pakistan’s terror mechanism to ‘self-destruct,’ and in so doing balance/degrade the ‘P’ factor in the Sino-India strategic equation. It is reiterated that the desired end state is neither war nor the destruction of Pakistan as a political entity – it is to mitigate the factor of terror and retard the proliferation of militancy. The end game being to engage Pakistan positively and to facilitate her re-entry as a contributing politico-economic entity of South Asia.

It is postulated that only by exhibiting national will and the resolve, with demonstrable actions on the ground would the desired result be achieved in Islamabad and in doing so, also send the right signal to Beijing. This is the call of the hour and Keren and Samba could well be the harbingers of further violations of India’s national integrity and territorial sovereignty, which in the times to come could pose a even greater danger to India’s national security.

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11 thoughts on “Kashmir: India-China-Pakistan Triangular Conflict

  1. Chinese interest in Kashmir (leave Akas Chin plateau aside) is to support Pakistan. Those fancy talk of Silk Route thru Khunjreb Pass) is more of a fantasy then a possible reality, for a few reason, first, there is not enough trade along this route to justify climbing thru 14,000 feet of this pass in trucks which only carry 5 to 10 tons of cargo. It can be good only for trade with Pakistan which is not much. Second , there is no economic alternative to a ship carrying 100,000 tons of cargo in one go to take merchandise to the world. Economics of gas and oil pipeline climbing 14,00o feet at -30 degrees is worst.

    It is the military interest of Chinese to keep India busy on its western border keeps them in the picture. Chinese like, the Pakistanis like it and it will continue until eternity until political order in all the three countries undergoes a dramatic change that supporting or opposing each other become untenable.

    So what needs to be done in the meantime, start a fight with Pakistan over Kashmir terrorism. Pick the time of winter when Chinese are unable to intervene militarily in big way (show of force aside). In a two to three weeks war destroy Pakistan’s capability of war. Nuclear weapon bluff has to be called one day anyway. That process like 1965 war and 1971 war but not 1999 war will destroy Pakistan’s war making capability for another thirty years. That will continue until eternity as I said until the political changes remove the fear of war.

    There is no alternative to it. In our life time and our grandchildren lifetime this would continue. That is Muslim way of thinking.

  2. I am sukhman bir singh iam 10 years old now .Iam studying in England and i want to be a great engener so i can build air craft ,aircraft carreirs and so much more to help my great country and make india a much better place than it is now and also ,make my contry ,much bigger

  3. It may surprise many but the reason for the Kashmir dilemma today lies in the Indian government’s decision to grant special status to the state after the partition. Article 370 legitimized a wrong turn in the history and today India is paying the price. This special status blocked economic and political integration of Kashmir into the Union, prevented land ownership by non-Kashmiri Indian citizens and provided a fertile ground for Pakistani sponsored terrorists to intermingle with locals and solidify their hold. Any future strategy to stabilize Kashmir must start with scrapping Article 370 followed by a full integration of the Kashmir state into the Indian Union.

    • Though I would not disagree, in my view Article 370 in only one of the many mistakes and strategic miscalculations in India’s handling of the Kashmir issue. Notwithstanding, your views are valid. Amar

  4. A well researched article notwithstanding, the gist remains the same: we have consistently, and with great diligence, neglected the geo-strategic aspects of J&K – and continue to do so in a carefree (and irresponsible) manner. We need to understand that wars with Pakistan and/or China are not a figment of imagination, but a rerality that is bound to happen. It is not a question of whether – but when. The diplomatic boys (and girls) must postpone the occurrence – to give us time to prepare. That J&K acceeded to us on 26 October 1947 is a reality. That we have neglected the state subsequently is yet another reality: nothing more than a culpable (and possibly criminal) negligence and dereliction of duty. Pakistan must be told bluntly that J&K cannot go to them. We must be physically, morally and psychologically prepared to absorb nuclear strikes by Pakistan and/or China, and then bounce back. Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We can respond by non-nuclear means – tear up the Indus Waters Treaty, smash their ports (not many), wreak their railway networks – and then be party to their reconstruction by international companies for a fee of course!! It must not be forgotten that fortune favours the brave and not whining cowards. Pakistan knows that we will not take a firm stand. The world’s interest lies in keeping the J&K issue alive – to our disadvantage of course. Our dialogue with Pakistan and regular visits by rock music groups must be recognized for what it is – a smokescreen behind which we must prepare for that inevitable showdown – to be won on our terms. IN World War II the German Wehrmacht came within sight of the Kremlin. No, the USSR did not surrender, but kicked the Germans all the way back to Berlin.

    • Thanks Bal Sir. Nations who realize their mistakes and have the courage to correct them emerge stronger. The time has come for India to acknowledge the mistakes of the past and then work our counter strategies. Amar

  5. Hi Sir, very well written article. Hope the power that be also reads this and gets apprised about not only the current situation but also the impending dangers that is coming our way in the next couple of years from an emboldened Pakistan and vitriolic China. The current situation in the LoC/AGPL and LoAC/McMahon line is anything but comforting, i am a civilian and surely do not have the depth in strategic knowledge that you have but even from my analysis and understanding i can see something brewing up, that can quickly snowball into a major conflagration in the immediate future. We are surely in a very tight situation presently. I completely agree that to effectively take on China we need to preemptively neutralize the Pakistan factor otherwise in the impending two pronged war that will come our way, we will have tough time defending our fragile frontiers.Hope we can turn the asymmetric war waged by Pak on its head and give it a taste of its own medicine, i am sure we have the capability to do that. Please write more such articles and enlighten us of what is our way forward out of this quagmire.

    • Thanks DB. The factor that will ultimatimately matter is the all important decision to act and to continue reacting. Unfortunately, against Pakistan we have always reacted, while against China we have not even done that in adequate measure. I sincerely feel that the time to change this defensive mind set has come and if this oppurtunity is allowed to slip by, the future would not be bright for India’s growth-both as a nation and for her nationals who have adopted the democratic way of life. I too hope that this finds the ear of the powers to be. Amar

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