Roshan writes: China’s recent comment on Baluchistan stating –“China will have “to get involved” if any Indian “plot” disrupts the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in restive Balochistan[i], “ is an immature statement befitting a nation aspiring to be a regional power and not a global power. They have stated that Balochistan is a restive region so before investing in the CPEC, China should have known as to what would be the repercussions of investing in such an area. Both, Pakistan China have used asymmetric methods to create problem for their neighbours so it is very preposterous of China to lecture on such an issue. Pakistan has been using terrorist groups in Kashmir for ages and still continues to do so under China’s tutelage, so if hypothetically India does decide to give the same medicine to Pakistan in Balochistan China should not retaliate after all the game was started by them. You can’t have double standards; that is if China adopts the policy of asymmetric warfare it is strategy and if others adopt the same it becomes a plot. Secondly India-Pakistan relations have been difficult and China has often precipitated the issues by blindly supporting Pakistan. So again hypothetically in a war like situation does China seriously believes that India would not be targeting CPEC. Chinese doctrines on war itself says that the active defense and second strike is to basically paralyse the enemy state, so how can China think that other nations will not do the same. I hope China understands the challenges and uncertainties in investing in an unstable state, rather than pointing fingers China should do an introspection regarding the feasibility of such a project.
China’s behaviour is also a message to those who believe that China’s behaviour can be changed if India economically engages with China. Economic engagement is fine but it should be based on strength and not to placate a nation. Hence it is imperative that the priority for the policy makers should be to abridge the defence gap between the two countries, to develop enough deterrence capabilities so that India has enough leverages to engage China.
Geo-strategically Asia is changing at a rapid speed. Any peace in the region will depend on mature and rational behaviour of major powers and not brinkmanship. Following the rule of law is the first step. Aggressive behaviour will alienate China further and lead to arms race. There has been a substantial increase in the defence budgets of smaller nations surrounding China. If China wants to develop the region economically then the basic requirement is to build peace and peace could be achieved if China is impartial in its demeanour, and has the courage to isolate nations that sponsor terrorism, because ideologically motivated terrorist will not differentiate between the donor and the target state. Terrorism could be removed only by collective efforts of nations and those nations need to work without any prejudices and double standards.
End Notes
1 China warns India, Says It will intervene if New Delhi incites Trouble In Balochistan at http://www.firstpost.com/world/china-warns-india-says-it-will-intervene-if-new-delhi-foments-trouble-in-balochistan-2980404.html