In the aftermath of the horrendous Pulwama terror attack, the entire nation is boiling with an emotionally charged sentiment against Pakistan. While all the onus of our national media is on Pakistan, we are failing to realize that China is also blameworthy at the moment. Immediately after the terror attack, the Chinese media started with asking India to self-introspect its anti-terrorism policy rather than blaming Pakistan for the Pulwama suicide bombing and China for blocking efforts to list Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist without proof.
A comment piece in the Global Times has accused India of failing to provide “solid evidence” against Azhar and said China rightly practised caution against listing him as a terrorist.
China’s Hindrance At UNSC
Not just this, the reason why UN Security Council took nearly a week to issue a statement on the Pulwama attack was because of China’s stiff opposition to any mention of ‘terrorism’ in it, which official sources confirmed.
The sources said, the UNSC statement on Pulwama was to be issued on the evening of February 15 but lone China repeatedly sought extension of timing, suggesting multiple amendments aiming to “derail” the effort.
However, notwithstanding deliberate Chinese and Pakistani efforts, the UNSC agreed to issue the first statement in its history regarding an attack on Indian troops in J&K finally on February 21, a week after the suicide attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, claimed lives of our 40 CRPF Jawaans.
How China Downplayed The UNSC Statement
But China didn’t even stop here. A day after the UNSC strongly condemned the terror attack and named Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) for the “heinous and cowardly suicide bombing”, China on very next day sought to downplay the resolution, saying the mention of the JeM was only in “general terms” and “does not represent a judgement”.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters, while referring to the UNSC statement; “On Thursday, the UN Security Council issued a press statement that mentioned a particular organisation but only in general terms. It does not represent a judgment on the attack”.
China Is Least Concerned About India’s Interests
Thus, all these instances of China’s empty rhetoric on counter-terrorism cooperation with India while simultaneously shielding Pakistan’s export of terrorism has exposed the sheer hypocrisy and culpability of the Chinese state.
There is now a little doubt that the so-called ‘Wuhan spirit’ post Doklam faceoff has only served to add more reluctance on India’s part to counter Chinese aggression against India’s interests in South Asia & South-East Asia. Whereas China on it’s part doesn’t give a damn about India’s security concerns and is continuing with it’s efforts to downplay terror in the region.
Moreover, diplomatic backing of Beijing has been responsible for spoiling India’s efforts everytime at the United Nations to put JeM Chief Masood Azhar on the list of global banned terrorists.
China’s Investments And Projects In Pakistan
If India wants to secure its interests, the government cannot avoid addressing the challenge of growing China-Pakistan nexus through China-Pakistan Economic Cooridor (CPEC) and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Unless India gasps the long term threat posed by this nexus and responds with a befitting counter-strategy, it is sure to confront more such issues and problems in the near future. In reality China, enlarging it’s strategic footprint in Paksitan occupied Kashmir (PoK) has long been playing Kashmir card against India.
China’s Kashmir interference will only increase as a result of it’s so called ambitious CPEC through PoK, where Chinese military presence is growing. India now faces Chinese troops on both flanks of it’s portion of J&K.
China’s Inflammatory Statements About Arunachal Pradesh
China has taught it’s ‘all weather’ ally Pakistan, how to wage proxy-war against India. China still fans the flames in India’s northeast and makes provocative statements about Arunachal Pradesh. China has always opposed visits of Indian leaders to the north-eastern state. Less than a week before the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Arunachal to inaugurate some infrastructural projects. China at that time said that it “resolutely opposes” activities of Indian leaders in the region.
Lost Spirit Of ‘Wuhan Summit’
Just before the ‘Wuhan Summit’ of PM Modi in April 2018, Indian government sent out a note asking “senior leaders” and “government functionaries” to stay away from events planned by the “Tibetan leadership in India” to mark the start of 60 years in exile of His Holiness Dalai Lama. This was conveyed through diplomatic channels as a mark of goodwill that was sought to be generated in Beijing, but was seen as a snub for Dalai Lama in India.
There was wide criticism at that time, accusing the government of being soft and pliable and reversing decades-old Indian policy for it’s short-term political gains. The government beared the brunt at that time for the sake of improving ties with China, but just see the way how Beijing is reciprocating.
Hence, the time has come for India to look for some serious amends, steps and shift in direction of our overall China Policy. China should be made accountable and have to pay heed towards India’s security concerns and interests in the region.