Change the game: India must prepare non-linear counters to China

Despite India and China getting down to diplomatic negotiations to resolve the issue of Chinese intrusions in eastern Ladakh, the on-ground situation does not inspire confidence about quick results. Satellite images and ground reports indicate that Chinese troops have set up a much larger camp with gun positions on Indian territory in Galwan valley. And apart from continuing to occupy Indian territory on the north bank of Pangong Tso, a sizeable number of Chinese troops have intruded deep into the strategically important Depsang Bulge area. All of this shows Beijing is in no mood to relent and we need to be prepared for the long haul.

In this regard, we need to change the rules of the game. For far too long we have gone along with the Chinese position of compartmentalising the border issue – on which they take two steps forward and one step back – from other areas of the bilateral relationship. This has to go immediately, and it’s welcome that New Delhi has told Beijing that continuation of the current situation would have a negative impact on two-way ties. Additionally, we need to discard our reactive mindset and adopt non-linear tactics that take the other side by surprise, just as they often catch us napping. For instance, we could take a leaf out of China’s book and step up our cyberwarfare capabilities. Similarly, our troops could hold posts on the Chinese side of the LAC.

On the diplomatic front we need to break out of the bilateralism that has defined India-China relations, and speak up forcefully for other countries such as Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines, whenever they are harassed by China’s expansionist territorial claims. Bilateralism is convenient for China, as it’s always the stronger party in any bilateral faceoff. But we don’t need to play by Chinese rules any more.