FOr for once, China seems to be losing its diplomatic game of supporting Pakistan and isolating India on the Kashmir issue. The G20 Working Group on Tourism meeting held in Srinagar recently saw the participation of over 60 invitees from member countries. India’s G20 Presidency Chief Coordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla confirmed that the gathering was the ‘highest representation of foreign delegations to a Tourism Working Group meeting’.
“Getting such a huge turnout of delegates…is an incredible process. If you have to have a working group on tourism in India, we have to do it in Srinagar. There is no alternative,” Shringla said. Remarks by former foreign secretary Narendra Modi echoes the views of the government, which has taken a tough stand against Beijing’s manipulation.
By holding the G20 meeting in Srinagar, one of the biggest international events in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, New Delhi has sent a strong message to Islamabad and its fair-weather friends. Pakistan’s repeated attempts to internationalize the Kashmir issue have found few takers apart from China. The perennially poor and failing state was the best target for Beijing to ramp up its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and lure Pakistan into its debt trap.
After investing billions of dollars in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Beijing cannot avoid speaking Islamabad’s language on Kashmir. No wonder Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin opposed the G20 meeting “over disputed territory”.
Read also: More than the G20 Kashmir incident, real normalcy in J&K lies in a free and fair election
Chinese operates in ‘disputed’ areas
Since the issue is holding a meeting in “disputed territory”, India has several options to turn the table against China. New Delhi has already expressed its opposition to any third party involvement in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Saying The activities under CPEC are “illegal in nature, illegitimate and unacceptable”. Therefore, CPEC projects, which pass through ‘Pakistan-occupied India’, should be treated as assets built on “disputed territory” and hence dealt with appropriately. If China does not withdraw its commercial activities from any area of India, it should not be considered as anything less than aggression.
On the Taiwan question, as China expects India to reaffirm the ‘One China Policy’, New Delhi expressed its concern over the recent developments and urged Beijing to exercise restraint, from unilateral action to change the status quo. Urged to take steps to avoid and reduce stress. Tension. Against the backdrop of China’s repeated claims on Arunachal Pradesh and attempts to bring Bhutan’s territories under ‘disputed category’ for more than a decade now, New Delhi has stopped repeating “One China Policy”.
This is necessary for New Delhi to formally consider establishing an official relationship with Taiwan and allow Taipei to open a diplomatic office in India. The move will strengthen ties between the two countries and enhance trade and people-to-people contacts. Likewise, a similar approach should be explored for Tibet.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), often referred to as the Tibetan Government in Exile, serves as a democratic body that seeks to reclaim Tibet, which is currently under Chinese occupation. Given the disputed nature of Tibet, all Chinese projects in the region can be seen as activities carried out in disputed territory.
India, along with the democratic world, has a responsibility towards the displaced people of Tibet, supporting their aspirations to return to their land, culture and traditions. By acknowledging the legitimate concerns of the Tibetan people and supporting their cause, India can show solidarity with those affected by the occupation of Tibet.
India can sway nations
To people like Fernand de Varennes, the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, who courageously where did it go The G20 was “unwittingly providing a veneer of support to a facade of normalcy” amid rising human rights violations, political persecution and illegal arrests in Kashmir, the time is right to extend a formal invitation to visit Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. This should then be followed by a trip to Tibet and Xinjiang to educate themselves on the human rights violations taking place there.
As it is, the United Nations is rapidly losing credibility and relevance, requiring urgent and substantial reforms in its governance. Institutions and agencies working under the umbrella of the United Nations should be more responsible for portraying the truth fairly, not propagating lies and prejudices.
It is not surprising that Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia have aligned themselves with China by not registering for the meeting in J&K. In addition to their support for Pakistan, they are influenced by the changing geopolitical dynamics where China envisions a larger Asia-Arab alliance aimed at reducing US influence and furthering China’s own economic interests. However, it is only a matter of time before they realize the drawbacks of being overly dependent on the Chinese economy.
Keeping in view the rapid growth and untapped potential of the Indian economy, these countries will eventually need to re-evaluate their position and explore trade opportunities with India. New Delhi has both the patience and the inclination to wait for this change and, in the meantime, engage in diplomatic efforts to nudge them towards our point of view. By demonstrating strong diplomacy and diplomatic acumen, India can encourage these countries to re-evaluate their alliances and adopt mutually beneficial partnerships.
Seshadri Chari is the former editor of ‘Organiser’. He tweeted @sesadrichari. Thoughts are personal.
(Edited by Prashant)