” Valorous Mother Earth India ” – June 18, 2020.

          ” The valour from the Mother Earth India displayed in wars never had its price high. The valour and courage of Tamils also holds its special distinction “

          On the fateful night of June 15, 2020,   the sudden clash that erupted between the Chinese and Indian Armed Forces, took its toll on India in terms of the lives of 20 army personnel and a Colonel. This included the  ‘havaldar’  from Tamil Nadu,  Mr  Pazhani .  It is the pride of Tamil Nadu as well as  a tragedy with a sad ending.

          Despite the historically long-standing cultural, trade, and political relationships between India and China, border disputes are not uncommon in the later years. During the British rule in 1914 an agreement between China and Tibet was stuck. According to this agreement, Ladakh is a part of India. Ever since 1949 when the Communist Party of China came to power (in China) it has been claiming Ladakh as its own.

          From Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh the border between China and India runs for nearly 3500 km.  In Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh,  China’s encroachment of Indian land has become a matter of routine. On each occasion Indian Army has also acted in reprisal.

          Monday night witnessed a dour fight between the Chinese and Indian Army in the Galwan valley in East Ladakh. Significant to note was the absence of any gun fight. The fight started by the Chinese army saw the use of iron rods, stones, spikes, batons, nail studded rods, and sticks. Indian Army too retaliated with vigor. Reports state that 20 Indians and 43 Chinese lost their lives in this fight.

          It is nearly 45 years since the 1975 incident of October 20 in Arunachal Pradesh  border when a clandestine attack by the Chinese on the patrolling Indian Army Personnel took the lives of 4 Indians. It is a matter to be condemned strongly, particularly after the Indian PM’s meet with the Chinese Leader, Xi Jinping in Mamallapuram ;  PM Modi’s visit to China for discussions 5 times ;  and high level military/official talks (still ongoing) in the border area itself between the two countries.

          ‘War on COVID-19 and not war against nations’ is the imperative now. Both the nations are almost equally impacted by COVID-19. Also, China should be reminded that the 1993 (September 7) agreement that  “peace and tranquility shall prevail in the border areas”  is sacrosanct and shall be observed in good spirits. China should make this clear to its army from the higher to the lower level.

          General expectation is that the ensuing video conference talks between our Foreign Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, with the foreign Ministers of Russia and China (on Monday) may well be an excellent opportunity to arrive at a good decision.

          Salutations to the Indian Army Personnel who sacrificed their lives on the night of June 15, 2020, including the brave ‘havaldar’  Pazhani from Tamil Nadu.

   ” Dieu avec nous”

   Thursday, June 18, 2020 – 10.39 a.m. (IST)

   Tidbit : ” It is not the size of the dog in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the dog”. –  Mark Twain.