In principle, AP is not a place China aims to take soon. If India agree to settle the borders once and for all, I think China would be willing to give up most or all of AP. There not a chance in hell that China would give it up just to have friendly relations with India. Once relinquished, they can not reclaim again. On the Indian side, they can always change their mind about being friendly to China. China will not give up something for nothing.
Ladakh Flash Point
- Thread starter Mt1701d
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Let’s say that Modi does pursue a friendlier relationship. What is there to prevent his successor from reneging the promises?
Settling the border issue is the ultimate display of friendship. Both sides give up some claims which they cannot walk back on. Frankly, with the power of China rising, India should seize the window of opportunity to resolve the border issue now. The price will go up in the future. Unfortunately, I doubt Indian government has the wisdom and courage to settle the border issue today. This will be an albatross on the neck of India, forever pouring money down the rathole with nothing to show for it.
Lets say such gesture requires some sort of permanent action like trade deals, intelligence exchange, circulation of yuan, and what not.
As I've said many times in this thread, giving India concessions doesn't make them friendly. Dealing with them firmly is the best path to good relations. Look how brutally the British treated the Indians right until they left, yet UK-Indian relations are good.
As to the seriousness of the AP claim. I think the turning point was the announcement that China had given cities in AP Chinese names a few months ago. That was a message that China means business.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
Frankly India has demonstrated consistently to the Chinese on this issue that their promises are worth less then toilet paper. And that’s toilet paper today, not 2019 toilet paper, which was actually worth something.
Frankly, I think modern India is the proverbial scorpion who cannot help but stab China in the back the first good chance it gets even if doing so dooms itself as well.
It seems they have now made hating on and being envious and covetous of China’s wealth, power and position in the world a fundamental foundational cornerstone of Indian identity and that’s not something that can be changed easily or quickly even with Chinese levels of determination, competence and persistence. With India, it’s an impossible ask as far as I can see.
This means that China must eternally be on guard for this stab in the back from India. And keeping the boarder dispute live will be a fail safe to guard against complacency from future Chinese generations. Because the Indians won’t be able to help themselves from stirring shit up and showing their true face at least once a generation or two. Which will serve as timely reminders for future Chinese generations least they start to forget. Better a few small boarder skirmishes every now and again than risk future generations letting their guard down and getting stabbed really badly in the back by India.
Once upon a time, China was eager to settle borders with neighbors. At this point, I don't think there is much impetus to do so. Thinking of it, I don't think China would even settle with India without some sort of settlement with respect to Pakistan. If, after the settlement with China, India turn her full attention on fighting Pakistan, that would jeopardize the Belts and Roads initiative. In that sense, the current situation suits China just fine. It is up to India to make the settlement worth while.
In the future, maybe a decade or two, when the U.S. retreats from the first, then second island chains, the opportunity to settle the border with China would be lost. When the U.S. realize we are destined to be number two in two decades, it would be the U.S. that would seek to break up India to prevent a challenger to our number two position. If, at that time, India is still antagonistic towards China, the U.S. will have the acquiescence from China to break up India.
Sometimes you miss an opportunity, events can turn significantly worse down the road.
Indeed. The Indians are quite super sensitive these days. Can't take any promises from them. When their Superpowah ego gets bruised, they'll cancel deals. That's why its better not to do any serious deals with India.
P. S.:
Pictures about two national military heroes:
Qi Fabao becoming Olympic torchbearer for China.
Abhinandan Varthaman becomes brand ambassador for Khan's Tea stall in Karachi Pakistan.
Here comes the deranged Indian media smarting over Qi Fabao becoming Olympic torchbearer for China. There's something messed up with their mentality essentially dictating to China to hide away it's soldiers which basically means to not acknowledge the sacrifice and contributions for China or else. Would India have taken such a high road if they're the one who were in the exact position of China? Don't freaking think so.
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