tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post2956119080738754091..comments2024-03-23T09:25:42.029-07:00Comments on Broadsword by Ajai Shukla - Strategy. Economics. Defence.: Sino-Indian border - Fresh opportunityBroadswordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-25335467924479882802010-07-23T08:51:12.790-07:002010-07-23T08:51:12.790-07:00Ajai Sir, We respect your Journalism, But it is a ...Ajai Sir, We respect your Journalism, But it is a point of view which you think might be right, then, there r things too which contradicts what you think is right.<br />Personally i think the way Goutam has come out with his comments on ur blog and then ur response to him, is not much different than what goes on most of the defense forums.<br /><br />It would be good if visitors show some respect to blog owner(its his blog n his views) With due respect Colonal Shukla dont bring the quality down with such discussions. I never thought you will be so easy to Provoke, after all u were in army and you r a journalist. There will be appreciations as well as criticism, But then there are users who check ur blog everyday.Int64https://www.blogger.com/profile/01823375639414441710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-57941450432785692492010-07-22T23:35:31.602-07:002010-07-22T23:35:31.602-07:00Gautam:
Why don't you remain on Bharat Raksha...Gautam:<br /><br />Why don't you remain on Bharat Rakshak instead of wasting your time on this blog?<br /><br />Broadsword is where you get stuff about the Sino-Indian border from someone who has served there as a soldier, studied as a student and lived as a researcher. This is not a place like Bharat Rakshak, where people fight "link wars", compensating for their lack of real experience with the indiscriminate marshalling of links to articles written by people almost as inexperienced as themselves.<br /><br />So go to Bharat Rakshak and stay there. <br /><br />Perhaps you'll be able to tell me why they've been citing every article that I write and practically begging for me to post in that ill-informed, jingoistic madhouse?Broadswordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-83761925822211730762010-07-22T05:46:22.956-07:002010-07-22T05:46:22.956-07:00"These are the kind of uninformed, nit-witted..."These are the kind of uninformed, nit-witted falsehoods that the blogsphere unfortunately provides a platform for."<br /><br />...Now I'm beginning to understand why the folk at Bharat Rakshak treat you like they do. I've lost some respect for you, Colonel Shukla. Denying these documented facts hints at a pro-China attitude.<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhutan<br /><br />On 13 November 2005, Chinese soldiers crossed into the disputed territories between China and Bhutan, and began building roads and bridges.[23] Bhutanese Foreign Minister Khandu Wangchuk took up the matter with Chinese authorities after the issue was raised in the Bhutanese parliament. In response, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang of the People's Republic of China has said that the border remains in dispute and that the two sides are continuing to work for a peaceful and cordial resolution of the dispute.[24] An Indian intelligence officer has said that a Chinese delegation in Bhutan told the Bhutanese that they were "overreacting." The Bhutanese newspaper Kuensel has said that China might use the roads to further Chinese claims along the border.<br /><br />Further links provided right there.Gautamhttp://godkingofdivineroad@yahoo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-65101648662948244952010-07-22T01:06:58.424-07:002010-07-22T01:06:58.424-07:00Gautam writes: "Recently China invaded Bhutan...Gautam writes: "Recently China invaded Bhutan, a country with which it has never had any territorial problems before, and suddenly, unilaterally claimed 'The border is not settled'."<br /><br />These are the kind of uninformed, nit-witted falsehoods that the blogsphere unfortunately provides a platform for.Broadswordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-19867424406676685492010-07-20T05:02:01.845-07:002010-07-20T05:02:01.845-07:00When nations have dubious credentials in respectin...When nations have dubious credentials in respecting sanctity of agreements then not trading away our claims is the best option. <br /><br />For the dragon, an agreement is only a piece of paper to which one should "try" to conform to "as far as possible" but if pragmatism suggests giving it up in any scenario then they will do so.<br /><br />Swap is futile, status-quo is the best. You cannot pacify someone who is looking for ways to tease you, you can only prepare. Solve one excuse and another will be found to keep issues alive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-12635586354399914452010-07-19T06:34:21.026-07:002010-07-19T06:34:21.026-07:00Anonymous 19:45:
Allen Adgar Snow! That's a h...Anonymous 19:45:<br /><br />Allen Adgar Snow! That's a hilarious mix of two people. Just to help you: Edgar Allen Poe was a writer of fiction on the supernatural.<br /><br />And Edgar Snow was a leftist journalist who believed that Mao's rebellion was the greatest thing in the history of mankind.<br /><br />Okay?<br /><br />Deshdaaz:<br /><br />Your mail was too long-winded. I think I'm going to entirely stop posting anything longer than 100 words unless it has REAL intrinsic merit that justifies more space.Broadswordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-57287494038845461922010-07-19T06:18:03.872-07:002010-07-19T06:18:03.872-07:00Regrettably last comment was not approved. Was the...Regrettably last comment was not approved. Was there any indecency/objectionable content?Deshdaazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13072694845029489289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-7877432906997808362010-07-18T07:09:40.457-07:002010-07-18T07:09:40.457-07:00Ajai sir
I have only 1 thing to say now. China is...Ajai sir<br /><br />I have only 1 thing to say now. China is a communist country with authoritarian rule where what top leadership decides is final, where as India is a democracy where every political party has a divergent views. <br /><br />There have been several past military leaders who have laented about Indias military, political and bureaucratic blunders committed in the past. <br /><br />lets not talk about it, what I want to sayu is that when we say Jammu & Kashmir is crown jewel of India and we are fighting tooth and nail with Pakistan over it, do you think any political party in India has the stomach to commit political suicide by agreeing to part away with part of the crown whethwer its Chinas or Pakistan.<br /><br />I think notjoydeep ghoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00038225081192821456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-54686049423058183282010-07-17T20:44:01.094-07:002010-07-17T20:44:01.094-07:00I really wish the two koreas unify.It would total ...I really wish the two koreas unify.It would total change the whole dynamics of the game. They would end up having common border with US. We can then chequered board their Chinese asses after that. ( to make this a reality, all it needs is an another SoKo ship sinking )<br /><br />If this happens this would buy us time. By the time they settle their difference with US/Korea( hopefully will become as strong as Japan - another Japan is always good 4 India) peak oil happens & the technology to harness thermofrost matures, they will then start claim on Siberia bordering Manchuria which will get them in confrontation with Russia(hopefully the petro dollar keeps them strong till then)...<br /><br /><br />Actually if a test firing of a DF-21/31 lands on a unpopulated area of Taiwan would really help now. <br /><br />You may call these as wishful thinking. But it were be US of A in India place they would make these scenarios a reality. <br /><br /><br />Sometime status-quo is better then any settlement, its only when you try change the dynamics of a situation - people/groups/lobbyist whose survival depends on animosity will try to escalate & succeed escalating the situation to even more.S 4 allnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-76608342785372161112010-07-17T11:32:13.765-07:002010-07-17T11:32:13.765-07:00by the way my two paisa on border issue is followi...by the way my two paisa on border issue is following -<br /><br />i think india is quite eager to make LAC as an international border. and very unlikely to actually exchange any area that she controls now, least any settled area.<br /><br />so why china doesn't agree with that now?<br /><br />either <br />1.they don't want to. and they want to use the border issue in future if needed.<br /><br />or <br />2. they want to settle the issue but they think they will be in a far more advantageous position in future.<br /><br />or <br />3. they are really serious about tawang and will not compromise over it.<br /><br />none of the above scenario looks good to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-21319761024199285852010-07-17T11:11:49.622-07:002010-07-17T11:11:49.622-07:00if you are interested in china can you inform us s...if you are interested in china can you inform us something about PLA's influence over chinese government , mainly foreign policy?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-10050050977147314192010-07-17T07:15:18.785-07:002010-07-17T07:15:18.785-07:00Dear Colonel,
India's biggest problem is that...Dear Colonel,<br /><br />India's biggest problem is that we do not have specialists who can understand China or even Chinese language. Claimants are many, though. That is not a happy situation, specially for removing miscommunication and wrong reading of signals. China should help India out of this situation of language barrier to avoid mishaps in bilateral relations due lack of communication. So far Chinese are concerned their Hindi Programme on radio was on air since 1970s. The Beijing reviw and Pepoles daily was circulated in India in large number. Books published by Beijing and their sale used to a source of income for the CPI-M.<br /><br />There is not much available on India China relations. What ever is available is totally baised and one sided. When China was enmy, the Western authors blamed china. However subsequently when west required China, it became "India's China" war. You may like to refer to some old issue of IDSA magazine to see detailed analysis on this issue. See, people like Alastair Lamb and Maxwell produced slanted studies to suit the Cold War requirements.<br /><br />The biggest culprit in this regard has been our own establishmnet who assidously hid all records. Ignorance and ambiguity rules the roost. If one wishes to buy the Govt of India White Papers on The War today those are not available.<br /><br />It is perhaps to blame you. Look around you in acedemic circles? Who studies China? What is the encouragement to study China when Shakspare can put you in MEA?<br /><br />Look around the diplomatic circles and you will not find even a single man who can claim to understand China. Only a few leftist fall in love with China but we need someone to understand them and not fall in love and write back to Comrade Mao on the sucess of Telangana revolt.<br /><br />Knowing some bit of you, one can not doubt your sincerity and devotion but where is the raw material to reserch? Allen Adgar Snow is not ebough..<br /><br />For an acedemician where is the material to see the whats, whys and aftermaths of Chequerboard ?<br /><br />So the point at issue to become China expert could be different. The establishement does not want any one to be China expert in the Country.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-88593948924733925342010-07-17T00:32:28.420-07:002010-07-17T00:32:28.420-07:00My dear Col Shukla,
How dare you write about Chin...My dear Col Shukla,<br /><br />How dare you write about China in anything less than Cheney-esque Hawkish prose scripted in the blood of a dragon!<br /><br />Of course we have to settle our differences (one way or another) with China. There's no other way forward. Until we do (and perhaps even after), the Chinese will not stop propping up their client state to our west. <br /><br />It is unfortunate that armchair jokers cannot take a more considered view of what you advocate. <br /><br />What would be your stand on releasing the Henderson Brooks–Bhagat Report for public consumption, given that its nature is highly critical of the Indian political and military structure of the time? Perhaps it would serve to calm frazzled nerves?<br /><br />Kind regards,<br />ShaunakShaunaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-8603408400789272962010-07-16T14:13:41.516-07:002010-07-16T14:13:41.516-07:00@Broadsword
Ajai ji, I am not a specialist in Chi...@Broadsword<br /><br />Ajai ji, I am not a specialist in China's policy or border issues. But I do have a lot of Chinese friends and what i understand by discussing with them is,<br /><br />1. China's govt is pretty clever you can not trust them.<br /><br />2. I have never read a book about indo-china border or history but i have read a lot of articles and my main source is Wiki(I hope the information mentioned there is right)<br /><br />I am pretty sure you know about Treaty of Chushul and General Zorawar Singh(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Zorawar_Singh). Chinese govt doesn't recognize this treaty anymore. Tibet was not a part of china in recent history, it was a separate empire. So the claim they have on Indian Land has no good stand.<br /><br />So logically what you are saying may seems to be right. but morally it doesn't seems right to me (at least). I absolutely like your journalism but i dont agree with you on this issue(personally).Int64https://www.blogger.com/profile/01823375639414441710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-37764325261208385602010-07-16T04:51:49.985-07:002010-07-16T04:51:49.985-07:00When did I claim myself to be a 'China special...When did I claim myself to be a 'China specialist'? By that definition I meant those strategic analysts who study Chinese policies, plans and strategies on a regular basis and advise the government and military on the matter.<br /><br />But since you are clearly more knowledgeable on this issue than the average journalist(no sarcasm), please explain to me briefly China's recent sudden invasion on the Bhutan border after decades of silence on the border , the reports of fresh problems in Sikkim even after the Chinese officially recognised it as an Indian state, and why coincidentally all our states on the Chinese border are disputed by them.<br /><br />About your proposed 'east-for-west' SWAP, I recall reading a front-page article years ago where our MeA had apparently suggested something similar with respect to Aksai Chin and Tawang during talks. The Chinese dumbfounded them by saying that their problem wasn't just Tawang: it was the whole of Arunachal Pradesh. I'm sure this is well south of the McMahon line, in which case their actual intention may be to take India's eastern regions state-by-state.Gautamhttp://godkingofdivineroad@yahoo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-1238627837459876062010-07-16T04:14:58.960-07:002010-07-16T04:14:58.960-07:00@Ajai sir
my apologies if my comments have been ...@Ajai sir <br /><br />my apologies if my comments have been offending to you.<br /><br />But if you stand by what you said, doesnot it clearly mean that since we have played into the hands of China since long, so we should contnue playing into the hands of China.joydeep ghoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00038225081192821456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-54638314174083506372010-07-16T04:12:26.148-07:002010-07-16T04:12:26.148-07:00Gautam
Your comment: "Ajai, I mean no disres...Gautam<br /><br />Your comment: "Ajai, I mean no disrespect but you are not exactly a China specialist either"<br /><br />Can you enlighten us, what exactly is a China specialist? I make no claims to fancy labels, but here are my credentials on China:<br /><br />1. From 2008-2009, I lived for a year near Tawang on the Sino-Indian border, researching a book on the post-independence history of the McMahon Line.<br /><br />2. Over the last three years, I have read most of what is worth reading on the history of the Sino-Indian border.<br /><br />3. One of India's most well respected history groups has found my project worth funding and supporting.<br /><br />4. As a journalist, I am in close touch with the latest developments in the MEA on the Sino-Indian relationship and with the people who make policy in this field.<br /><br />5. As a military officer, I have spent a long period posted on the Sino-Indian border and took part in the operations at Tawang (it was called Operation Chequerboard) when the Chinese occupied Indian territory at Wangdung.<br /><br />6. I have travelled to China and spoken to several Chinese strategists about their view of the issue.<br /><br />So, okay, you're the expert on China.Broadswordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-14949898171176647162010-07-16T02:09:50.774-07:002010-07-16T02:09:50.774-07:00Ajai, I mean no disrespect but you are not exactly...Ajai, I mean no disrespect but you are not exactly a China specialist either. Given past and current happenings the 'paranoia' is well-justified. It should be noted that China has border disputes with India on ALL our shared borders: Sikkim(calmed down in recent years but fears remain), Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh. All of these also happen to be the mountainous areas that offer a natural bulwark between India and China.<br /><br />The inference is clear. The Chinese want the high ground that provides us a measure of security. Even if we gave the entirety of Arunachal Pradesh to China, it is quite plausible, given the Bhutan excuse I quoted in my above comment, that they will raise fresh claims over the next adjoining border areas like Assam and Nagaland. <br /><br />This is a most grave matter, given that many reports in recent years have been pointing to China shifting its immediate attention from Taiwan(which is protected by the US and Japanese military and diplomacy) to India(which has no such safeguards).Gautamhttp://godkingofdivineroad@yahoo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-88467093854093602382010-07-16T01:11:56.473-07:002010-07-16T01:11:56.473-07:00India will not have issues with China as long as t...India will not have issues with China as long as they becomes the tail of China. Having followed India and Indians, this is their natural behaviour. Indians like to follow and are submissive (eg Afghanistan). They respect size and economic power. The question really is who would they like to follow, USA of China. This is their big dilema. Their other big dilema is what to do wrt to Pakistan. Unlike India, Pakistan has no respect for its bigger neighbours. Their nature is opposite to India and Indians and even Chinese. China recognises this.<br /> <br />In this space China holds all the aces. India has handicapped itself by not having a good relationship with any of its neighbours. <br /><br />In my opinion India's space is very limited, just look at the map and you should understandMMertznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-1101607418840642682010-07-15T22:49:59.501-07:002010-07-15T22:49:59.501-07:00I'm absolutely astonished by the level of igno...I'm absolutely astonished by the level of ignorance about China's approach to its borders... and the general level of paranoia about China.<br /><br />Instead of wasting your time reading this blog, why don't some of you --- Joydeep Ghosh, Deshdaaz and the like --- spend some time reading about the history of the border problem. Don't read three and a half articles and then imagine that you've become strategists.Broadswordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-47378477953731587042010-07-15T09:25:04.295-07:002010-07-15T09:25:04.295-07:00Ajay Sir,
Is there any fundamental difference in ...Ajay Sir,<br /><br />Is there any fundamental difference in the idea of "Poeples War" and "Jihad" ? Emancipation of individual and society based on the idea of equility under Islam or equality under Communism is one and the same thing?<br /><br />Both ideology people feel they have been and still are supressed?<br /><br />Both are revolting insugents and terrorist.<br /><br />Both want world dominance. Goal being to convert world population to their faith / ideology.<br /><br />India unfortunately, as a liberal society has got stuck between the twin sisters of despotic political and culural systems?<br /><br />Bothe are backstabers, plotters and worst kind of Machiavellians.<br /><br />MEA is ideologically infiltrated since very begining. They feel bad about it but National Interests are above their feelings and their personal leftist ideologies.<br /><br />Things are bad and Chinese seems tobe laying a trap.<br /><br />What ever little we have gained militarily even in defeat, MEA is hell bent on losing that, like ever before.<br /><br />No negotiation or negotioans with no results is in India's advantage.<br /><br /><br />Recovering lost ground is the real acumen of Diplomacy and loosing the won grounds.<br /><br />And pardon me, on China issues you are a novice, as reflected by your article.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-6656225068636951332010-07-15T09:15:55.287-07:002010-07-15T09:15:55.287-07:00@ Deshdaaz
well said!. Life and death , war and...@ Deshdaaz <br /><br /> well said!. Life and death , war and peace is nothing but a matter of time, the only thing which would remain and will be known in future is the "glory" and i think India lacks leader who can take it on the path of glory. Osho said in one of his books that 'War and fear of war is necessary for development' and i agree with himInt64https://www.blogger.com/profile/01823375639414441710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-23361359379886807422010-07-15T05:43:24.417-07:002010-07-15T05:43:24.417-07:00Recently China invaded Bhutan, a country with whic...Recently China invaded Bhutan, a country with which it has never had any territorial problems before, and suddenly, unilaterally claimed 'The border is not settled'. What makes you think they won't pull the same stunt on India a few decades hence even after we agree to this hypothetical 'east-for-west' solution? <br /><br />It's not about Tibetan/Chinese Empire-based historical claims, the Chinese just want as much strategic Himalayan territory as they can get their hands on and are merely using Tibet and the Old Kingdom as an excuse. That's why they took Aksai Chin; they needed the territory to help secure Tibet, and afterwards raised noise about it being part of their historical claims to justify themselves.Gautamhttp://godkingofdivineroad@yahoo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-59907237717355024922010-07-15T03:44:02.384-07:002010-07-15T03:44:02.384-07:00We have general slogan ,
India is my mother coun...We have general slogan , <br /><br />India is my mother country and all indians are my brothers & sisters .<br /><br />If really india is our mother country , how can one will share is mother(country) with others .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-50337849052072157052010-07-14T17:06:05.839-07:002010-07-14T17:06:05.839-07:00Whilst China attends anti-terror conferences and s...Whilst China attends anti-terror conferences and sides with major political powers, let's not forget China is the world's largest terror sponsoring state and uses terror to control its own citizens.Almost all separatist movements in India owe their origin in China - except it uses Pakistan as a proxy.Where do you think the Maoists and ULFA or whoever get their arms and weapons?Who funds terror masterminds in Kashmir?A broke Pakistan can't.China has a Bond-villain policy not only towards India but the world - total world domination where every country is seen as a Real Estate for the chinks.It is India's own fault that wishy-washy foreign policy and procrastrinated defence policy has sandwiched her between the two most far-apart but politically unified allies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com