BEIJING: India will suffer greater losses than 1962 if New Delhi incited border clash with Beijing, as Chinese Army is powerful enough to expel its troops out of Chinese territory, according to Chinese daily Global Times.
India and China fought war –the Sino-Indian War in 1962 in which India was defeated. A disputed Himalayan border was the main pretext for war.
Indian and Chinese troops are reportedly facing off on a section of land high in the Himalayas near what is known as the trijunction, where Tibet, India and Bhutan meet.
According to Global Times, the face-off between Chinese and Indian troops in the Sikkim section of the Sino-Indian border seems to be escalating.
The Indian military was quoted by Indian media as saying that more troops have been deployed there in a non-combative mode. Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley claimed that the India of 2017 is different from the India of 1962. Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, General Bipin Rawat, even said they are fully ready for a two-and-a-half front war – referring to China, Pakistan and internal security requirements.
The Chinese public is infuriated by India’s provocation and believe the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is powerful enough to expel Indian troops out of Chinese territory, the daily reported.
“We firmly believe that the face-off in the Donglang area will end up with the Indian troops in retreat. The Indian military can choose to return to its territory with dignity, or be kicked out of the area by Chinese soldiers.”
“If New Delhi believes that its military might can be used as leverage in the Donglang area, and it’s ready for a two-and-a-half front war, we have to tell India that the Chinese look down on their military power. Jaitley is right that the India of 2017 is different from that of 1962 – India will suffer greater losses than in 1962 if it incites military conflicts.”
China attaches great importance to domestic stability and doesn’t want to be mired in a mess with India. But New Delhi would be too naïve to think that Beijing would make concessions to its unruly demands.
