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Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Dealing with China: Lessons from Galwan clash, five years on
Just over five years ago, the Galwan clash between India and China saw 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers killed. This year is also the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The bilateral relationship has been full of surprises and turmoil. It appears that India and China, two of the largest countries, economies and militaries, who share a disputed and unresolved border, do not understand each other. The violent clash of June 2020 was the first such incident since 1975. Peace was maintained on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for almost four decades with the help of confidence-building mechanisms (CBMs). These were achieved after long and painstaking discussions, primarily to avoid any violence on the LAC. However, in the words of Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, 'So there was a clash, and a number of troops died on either side, and that has since, in a sense, overshadowed the relationship. So until we can restore peace and tranquillity on the border and ensure the agreements signed up to are adhered to, it's obviously difficult to carry on with the rest of the relationship'. But can India trust China to adhere to any agreements now? The long freeze between the neighbours after the 1962 war was revisited in 1988 with the 'normalisation' of ties and efforts were put in place to avoid a similar challenge. During Rajiv Gandhi's visit that year to Beijing, Deng Xiaoping said, 'We have both made mistakes and we can learn from each other. Why can't we share our experiences, our successes and failures? There is much we can achieve together. We can achieve nothing by being antagonists'. There was positive momentum after the visit and both sides engaged in an increased economic relationship (bilateral trade stands at around $118 billion). There was a lot of talk about cooperation. However, what has continued to be the driving factor is mistrust. Since 1988, there have been multiple stand-offs at the border, the most intense being in Doklam in 2017 — both armies stood eye to eye for 73 intense days. What complicates the situation further is that both countries are nuclear powerhouses and have advanced militaries. And both are vying to grow their global influence. The Galwan clash underscored the fragility of the relationship. It took almost four-and-a-half years and multiple rounds of bilateral talks at various levels to achieve a breakthrough. In October 2024, it was announced that India and China have agreed on patrolling rights in the Ladakh region. Foreign Vikram Misri said: 'Agreement has been arrived at on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas, leading to disengagement and a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020 and we will be taking the next steps on this.' However, it appears that disengagement will be a long process. China appears keen to discuss restarting the people-to-people and economic engagement. After Galwan, India banned several Chinese apps and stopped major Chinese investments and direct flights. After the thaw, China has been keen to restart direct flights. It has issued around 85,000 visas and has resumed the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for Indians. On the other hand, India has continued to reiterate that no significant developments can be achieved if the border issue is unresolved. Galwan is a major recent reminder of what the border is capable of doing. It can push the countries as well as the region into uncertainty. India has continued to focus on building capabilities in the border region and developing infrastructure that can help in the proper management and movement of troops and equipment. The most prominent of these is the all-weather Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh. Even after years of positive statements and shows of bonhomie, the neighbours appear to be just talking at each other. The talks of people-to-people interaction by China and the fact that India continues to reiterate the centrality of the border for a genuine stable relationship to exist shows the gap in perception and understanding. This gap needs to be bridged sooner rather than later. For Beijing, when it comes to its relations with New Delhi, it is economic dynamics that matter. New Delhi, however, should not forget the lessons from Galwan and ignore the fragility of diplomatic measures, which can clearly be ignored and trampled by China. The writer is associate professor, OP Jindal Global University
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
China developing deadly Marine Toxins, may be merging AI with bioweapons: U.S. Report
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Two Chinese nationals have been arrested in the United States for allegedly attempting to smuggle a highly dangerous fungus into the country, which the FBI says could be used as an agroterrorism incident adds to growing concerns over China's alleged bioweapons to a 2025 U.S. State Department report, China may be incorporating artificial intelligence into its biological weapons (BW) program. The report, released in April, warns that China could be leveraging publicly available AI and machine learning tools to enhance bioweapon development."China probably is unable to make complex scientific equipment without Western innovation. It probably is capable of using publicly available artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) tools to advance efforts related to BW applications," the report a signatory to the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), China is prohibited under international law from developing bioweapons. However, the report stops short of confirming current BW activity, while noting China's historical possession of such weapons and the lack of evidence showing their report also alleges that China has failed to disclose two historical BW facilities in Beijing and Lingbao. These sites were reportedly involved in the development of military-grade biological agents including anthrax, cholera, plague, tularemia, ricin, and botulinum toxins.'Historical information suggests that China's BW production occurred at two facilities, in Beijing and Lingbao, prior to China signing the BWC in 1972. Although China has submitted BWC CBMs each year since 1989, China's CBM reporting has never identified these facilities or otherwise disclosed it ever pursued an offensive BW program,' the report particular concern is China's ongoing research into potent marine toxins—naturally occurring compounds from marine organisms with possible bioweapons applications. The State Department believes China still depends on Western innovation to manufacture the specialized equipment required for large-scale bioweapon integration of AI into such programs, the report warns, could have devastating global consequences. It draws parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic, which many believe may have originated from a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology—a facility known for its gain-of-function research aimed at increasing virus transmissibility. The report suggests that similar research, when combined with advanced AI, could result in a future catastrophe of even greater magnitude.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
No expiry date on truce with Pakistan, says Indian Army
NEW DELHI: The understanding between India and Pakistan to cease military hostilities is open-ended and does not have 'an expiry date', the Indian Army said on Sunday, rejecting reports from Islamabad that the truce was recently extended to May 18. 'As far as continuation of break in hostilities is concerned, as decided in DGMOs (directors general of military operations) interaction of May 12, there is no expiry date to it,' the army said in a brief statement. To be sure, India has laid down a marker that the fate of the May 10 ceasefire hinges on Pakistan's behaviour. It ended the four-day military confrontation that stoked fears of a full-blown shooting war. The army clarified that no DGMO-level talks are planned on Sunday. On May 15, the Indian Army said it will push 'confidence building measures' (CBMs) along the border with Pakistan 'to reduce the alertness level' there, hours after Pakistan's foreign minister Ishaq Dar said that the May 10 ceasefire had been extended till May 18. Operation Sindoor, which began in the early hours of May 7, was New Delhi's response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The understanding between India and Pakistan to cease military hostilities was announced on May 10 evening, after Indian DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai and his Pakistani counterpart Major General Kashif Abdullah talked over the hotline and agreed to stop all military actions against each other --- on land, in the air and sea. The two DGMOs spoke again on May 12 to uphold the uneasy truce. The CBMs discussions then included continuing the May 10 commitment that both sides 'must not fire a single shot' or initiate any aggressive action against each other and consider troop reduction in forward areas. On May 16, defence minister Rajnath Singh warned Islamabad that it was currently 'on probation' under the May 10 understanding. 'If the behaviour improves, it is fine; but if there is any disturbance, harshest punishment will be given,' he said at the Bhuj airbase. 'Our actions were just a trailer, we will show the full picture, if need be. Attacking and eliminating terrorism is the new normal of new India,' he said. Indian forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, bombing nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The pre-dawn strikes --- in which at least 100 terrorists were killed --- sparked a series of attacks and counterattacks across the western border, involving fighter jets, missiles, armed drones, and fierce artillery and rocket duels. In one such counterattack on the night of May 9-10, the Indian Air Force struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. On May 15, the Indian Army said it will push CBMs along the border with Pakistan 'to reduce the alertness level' there, hours after Pakistan's foreign minister Ishaq Dar said that the ceasefire between the Indian and Pakistani armies was extended till May 18. Neither side has fired a single shot since May 10, a key condition for the ceasefire, though Pakistan has attempted to violate the truce with some drones sighted over Indian cities on May 10 night and May 12 night.
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pak-India dialogue at neutral venue: Friendly states making intensive efforts
ISLAMABAD: Informed diplomatic sources revealed on Thursday that friendly countries are making intensive efforts to facilitate a Pakistan-India dialogue at a neutral venue, following recent tensions between the two South Asian rivals. The initiative comes after a US-brokered ceasefire agreement led to a cessation of hostilities, paving the way for renewed discussions on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). However, a senior Foreign Office (FO) official familiar with the developments cautioned, 'we can't rule it out, but immediately, there are no talks in sight.' Historically, formal talks or CBMs between the two nations gain momentum after a period of de-escalation which was the basis for the official to rule out holding of immediate composite talks between the two adversaries as the situation is still volatile and perilous despite visible de-escalation. True that the High Commissions are operating in both capitals, yet relations between the two neighbours have soured following the expulsion of diplomats from each other's country and declaring them persona non grata. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary, Amna Baloch briefed the Islamabad-based diplomatic missions on recent developments in Pakistan-India relations, said the FO in a statement on Thursday. The Foreign Secretary apprised the diplomatic corps of the implementation and progress of the ceasefire announced on 10 May 2025. She underscored that, as a goodwill gesture, Pakistan and India exchanged the personnel of Pakistan Rangers and the Indian Border Security Force in each others' custody, Wednesday. She thanked the friendly countries for their constructive role in achieving the ceasefire. In the context of India's baseless assertions on establishing a 'new normal', the Foreign Secretary stressed that the only 'normal' in bilateral relations is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. She emphasized Pakistan's preference for peaceful co-existence, dialogue and diplomacy over conflict and strife, the statement reads further. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Ceasefire' extended till Sunday, claims Pak; no word from India yet
NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan on Thursday decided to continue their confidence building measures (CBMs) to gradually reduce the high alertness levels between the rival militaries ranged against each other on the as well as the international boundary on the western front. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After Indian director-general of military operations Lt General Rajiv Ghai and his Pakistani counterpart Major General Kashif Abdullah reached the understanding on May 10 to cease cross-border hostilities , the CBMs are being strengthened to ensure neither side 'fires or initiates any aggressive and inimical action', an officer said. Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar told the media that the Pakistan Army had agreed to extend the ceasefire with India till Sunday during a phone call between the two DGMOs on Thursday. There was, however, no clarification from the on this. India has repeatedly stressed that Operation Sindoor has only been 'paused' and the armed forces are maintaining full operational readiness to respond to any misadventure from Pakistan. India had earlier asked Pakistan to desist from any further aggressive action along the western front and reduce the number of its troops and heavy weapon systems mobilised in forward locations. Both sides had agreed to consider immediate measures to ensure troop reduction from the borders and forward areas during the May 10 understanding. After the Pahalgam massacre, Pakistan has moved several reserve Army formations, tanks and Chinese-made SH-15 self-propelled 155mm howitzers closer to LoC and IB. India, of course, had made 'mirror deployments' of its forces, as reported by TOI earlier.
