China’s art of war- An opinion of former Union minister Manish Tewari
14072014
China’s art of war
The Asian Age — Jul 12, 2014
An opinion of Manish Tewari
The Chinese leadership has demonstrated the will, erroneously, to leverage its comprehensive national power and ignore international opprobrium in pursuit of its territorial designs
Why did the Chinese-government approved Hunan Map Press and the Hubei Bureau of Surveying Mapping and Geo-Information suddenly decide to issue a map that shows Arunachal Pradesh, Aksai Chin and parts of the Karakorum tracts as integral parts of China?
The fact that the atlas was issued when a delegation led by the vice-president of India was in that country to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Panchsheel, the five principles of peaceful co-existence, makes it all the more disquieting. Concurrently, China violated Indian land and airspace in Pangong Tso and Chushul region of Ladakh respectively. An infelicitous coincidence or a deliberate design?
Provocation and harmony cannot go in tandem. However, as the Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu said, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting”.
It is not the first time that the Chinese leadership has shown utter disregard for Indian sensitivities. Way back in 1979, while the then external affairs minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was on a visit to that country, China invaded Vietnam, compelling Mr Vajpayee to cancel his visit and return home.
The Asian Age — Jul 12, 2014
An opinion of Manish Tewari
The Chinese leadership has demonstrated the will, erroneously, to leverage its comprehensive national power and ignore international opprobrium in pursuit of its territorial designs
Why did the Chinese-government approved Hunan Map Press and the Hubei Bureau of Surveying Mapping and Geo-Information suddenly decide to issue a map that shows Arunachal Pradesh, Aksai Chin and parts of the Karakorum tracts as integral parts of China?
The fact that the atlas was issued when a delegation led by the vice-president of India was in that country to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Panchsheel, the five principles of peaceful co-existence, makes it all the more disquieting. Concurrently, China violated Indian land and airspace in Pangong Tso and Chushul region of Ladakh respectively. An infelicitous coincidence or a deliberate design?
Provocation and harmony cannot go in tandem. However, as the Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu said, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting”.
It is not the first time that the Chinese leadership has shown utter disregard for Indian sensitivities. Way back in 1979, while the then external affairs minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was on a visit to that country, China invaded Vietnam, compelling Mr Vajpayee to cancel his visit and return home.
Intriguingly in June this year, another Chinese mapping authority, Sino Mass Press, ostensibly issued a new map of that country showing 80 per cent of the South China Sea as internal Chinese waters. Earlier, in 1995, in pursuit of historical if not mythological claims, China had occupied Mischief Reef, and in 2012 it had seized Scarborough shoal both in the South China Sea and regarded as Philippines territory. The hard ball it played with Japan in September 2010 on the Senkaku/Diaoyutai Islands dispute still riles the region.
Why do nations indulge in creative cartography? Maps denote the renewal of a nation’s persona and identity. In the case of China, the politico-strategic leadership has always believed that the past two centuries, because of the imperial occupation of large parts of Asia, do not represent the natural order of things. It therefore invokes annals and ancient narratives to lay substantial claims on foreign territories. This is then further reinforced by conjectural cartography that bestows upon itself expansive latitude in delineating national boundaries to substantiate these abstract entitlements. Not only do they celebrate the extent of China’s eminent domain, but also mourn the loss of national territories.
With the economic rise of China and the consequential influence it wields, even militarily, in the region, it has developed a hazardous propensity to try and correct perceived historical injustices. While rewriting history has its own perils, gerrymandering is a sure recipe for disaster. However, the Chinese leadership has demonstrated the will, erroneously, to leverage its comprehensive national power and ignore international opprobrium in pursuit of its territorial designs. The power play in the South & East China Sea cannot but help the obvious conclusion that map making in China is a precursor to the more ominous actions that follow.
What are the lessons that India ought to draw from this latest provocation as well as the continual stand off on the border question over the decades? To understand the issue beyond the fact that the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is repeatedly transgressed under the subterfuge that it is inconsistent with the perception line that both the countries have of their respective borders, a peep into the past to discern mindsets shaped by national narratives is imperative.
Both India and China in their current avatars came into existence in 1947 and 1949 respectively. While Indian Independence was the result of a pacifist struggle against imperialism led by Mahatma Gandhi and his colleagues, the Chinese state was born out of a violent and protracted armed struggle led by Mao Zedong and his comrades. Though the Mao years were repudiated by Deng Xiaoping in 1978, the fundamental reality that got embedded in the Chinese psyche was deference for and a reverence to strength. While there may be a lot of economic liberalism on display — it is glorious to be rich, and have Weibo, the Chinese Twitter — at its core China remains a hard state. Historical mores and contemporary milieus shape the worldview of nation states. They invariably view other countries through that prism.
A classic manifestation of this truism is that notwithstanding the magniloquence that Asian affairs should be left to Asians, China has never challenged the claim of the United States of being an Asian power. China recognises that with its hub and spoke network of military alliances and now the Asian pivot, the US is the balancer of the first and last resort in the Asia-Pacific region. Strength begets respect.
What are the lessons that India ought to draw from this latest provocation as well as the continual stand off on the border question over the decades? To understand the issue beyond the fact that the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is repeatedly transgressed under the subterfuge that it is inconsistent with the perception line that both the countries have of their respective borders, a peep into the past to discern mindsets shaped by national narratives is imperative.
Both India and China in their current avatars came into existence in 1947 and 1949 respectively. While Indian Independence was the result of a pacifist struggle against imperialism led by Mahatma Gandhi and his colleagues, the Chinese state was born out of a violent and protracted armed struggle led by Mao Zedong and his comrades. Though the Mao years were repudiated by Deng Xiaoping in 1978, the fundamental reality that got embedded in the Chinese psyche was deference for and a reverence to strength. While there may be a lot of economic liberalism on display — it is glorious to be rich, and have Weibo, the Chinese Twitter — at its core China remains a hard state. Historical mores and contemporary milieus shape the worldview of nation states. They invariably view other countries through that prism.
A classic manifestation of this truism is that notwithstanding the magniloquence that Asian affairs should be left to Asians, China has never challenged the claim of the United States of being an Asian power. China recognises that with its hub and spoke network of military alliances and now the Asian pivot, the US is the balancer of the first and last resort in the Asia-Pacific region. Strength begets respect.
It therefore should come as no surprise that whenever a change of government takes place in New Delhi, the Chinese state would be tempted to probe the temperament, will and resolve of the new dispensation, especially now since the current Prime Minister had stated during the parliamentary election campaign in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, that “no power on earth can take away even an inch from India. Moreover the present world does not accept an expansionist attitude. Times have changed; China should give up its expansionist attitude and adopt a developmental mindset”. Now contrast this with the rather lackadaisical response of the new government to the cartographic aggression stating, “Cartographic depictions do not change the reality on the ground”. Can it then be concluded that the BJP government is nonchalant about misrepresentation of Indian territory on the atlases of the world?
Coupled with this is the fact that no firm message was given by the new government to the visiting Chinese foreign minister despite the bombast of the BJP while in Opposition on the issue of border intrusions, stapled visas etc. This perhaps served to consolidate the impression in the minds of our north-eastern neighbour that this government is unwilling to walk its tough talk.
This would have implications in the immediate future on a broad range of bilateral and multilateral issues germane to both the countries. Nothing can be more damaging than the impression that the party in government is blasé about its past utterances.
In addition to the international repercussions, back home it only reinforces the growing perception that has been created over the past one month — that the words and actions of this government are two parallel tracks not destined to meet.
The writer is a lawyer and a former Union minister. The views expressed are personal. Twitter handle @manishtewari
This would have implications in the immediate future on a broad range of bilateral and multilateral issues germane to both the countries. Nothing can be more damaging than the impression that the party in government is blasé about its past utterances.
In addition to the international repercussions, back home it only reinforces the growing perception that has been created over the past one month — that the words and actions of this government are two parallel tracks not destined to meet.
The writer is a lawyer and a former Union minister. The views expressed are personal. Twitter handle @manishtewari
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Categories : Media, Opinion
SP: BJP intended to prevent development
14072014
BJP’s conspiracy law messing up being the last 02 years. Never ever any alleged name circled in Ayodhya agitation on issues like violence and sabotage has become his nature. Do not hesitate to attack them in the media.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and undemocratic power-drunk Mdand be unethical to conduct further. Socialist government and unrestrained unsubstantiated allegations are engaged in efforts to mislead the public. BJP leader ego forgot the dignity of language and political courtesy. Sometimes the serpent – the serpent in the role of administrative officers tend to be sometimes violent nature of his open hostility to perform proclaimed. It is evident that the fascist character. It is undemocratic act.
A 0 Q 0 Socialist government is under development agenda. The overall growth in the state is on the fast road map.Unexpected ways to power the center intoxication of power has got to his head. They elected constitutional majority in that plot against the socialist government has Lgee. For this, they resort to violent agitation to disturb the atmosphere of the state is to create a storm.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav socialist government enjoys public confidence. BJP pervert the law and those who engaged in conspiracies to spread instability in the state, the public will respond to the precipice. BJP – R 0 S 0 S 0 and Hmsngi BSP and their motivations are inimical to the progress of all state everlasting peace, social harmony and goodwill hurt Phuॅchane is upset. The chaotic activities by the Socialist government of laws and strictly forbidden anywhere in the state BJP would not allow violence in the guise of movement. Evil intent of the peace-loving people of the state BJP is ready to retort.
(Rajendra Chaudhary)
state spokesman
Meanwhile, BJP leader and undemocratic power-drunk Mdand be unethical to conduct further. Socialist government and unrestrained unsubstantiated allegations are engaged in efforts to mislead the public. BJP leader ego forgot the dignity of language and political courtesy. Sometimes the serpent – the serpent in the role of administrative officers tend to be sometimes violent nature of his open hostility to perform proclaimed. It is evident that the fascist character. It is undemocratic act.
A 0 Q 0 Socialist government is under development agenda. The overall growth in the state is on the fast road map.Unexpected ways to power the center intoxication of power has got to his head. They elected constitutional majority in that plot against the socialist government has Lgee. For this, they resort to violent agitation to disturb the atmosphere of the state is to create a storm.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav socialist government enjoys public confidence. BJP pervert the law and those who engaged in conspiracies to spread instability in the state, the public will respond to the precipice. BJP – R 0 S 0 S 0 and Hmsngi BSP and their motivations are inimical to the progress of all state everlasting peace, social harmony and goodwill hurt Phuॅchane is upset. The chaotic activities by the Socialist government of laws and strictly forbidden anywhere in the state BJP would not allow violence in the guise of movement. Evil intent of the peace-loving people of the state BJP is ready to retort.
(Rajendra Chaudhary)
state spokesman
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Categories : Business, Politics
ICT domain – “i-Bharat Conference”
14072014
ficci.it@ficci.com
To Me
Today at 11:49 AM
↵
July 14, 2014
Dear Mr Sagar,
It gives me immense pleasure to inform you that FICCI, in partnership with the Department of Electronics & IT, Government of India, has undertaken an ambitious new initiative in the ICT domain - “i-Bharat Conference”. Through a series of annual conferences, i-Bharat will engage Industry, Government, Academia and other stakeholders of ICT, to deliberate upon transformation of key sectors in India through effectual implementation of ICT.
Given the importance of technology in nation building, we believe it is of utmost urgency to have a potent platform that fosters industry and Government dialogue and partnership aimed at enabling the realization of the India potential.
The first edition of i-Bharat, in its inaugural theme “Capturing the Domestic ICT Potential – Unleashing the Next Wave”, is being organized on 1st August 2014 at FICCI, New Delhi. The conference will delve into solutions and measures that can transform key sectors through effective technology implementation. In each session, outcome oriented action plans will be discussed to drive deployment and strengthen the public-private partnership, key to transformation.
We believe this is the right opportunity to present an action plan to the government and help enable the drafting of the right policies for successful implementation. i-Bharat 2014 will be one of the first large scale discussion platforms involving the new government.
A FICCI-Ernst Young report titled “i-Nagar”, containing recommendations to the new government on effective ICT implementation in transforming India’s cities, will also be released.
In view of importance of the event, we take great pleasure to invite you to attend the conference. The registration is free of cost and is on first come first serve basis (click here to download programme).
Since we have limited seating we request you to confirm your participation at the earliest. You may register yourself through the online form (Click here) or fill-up the attached registration form (click here to download) and e-mail it to us atficci.it@ficci.com to reserve your seat.
In case of any query you may please contact my colleague Mr Sudhir Malik at phone: 91-11-23487217 (D), 23738760-70 Ext. 217/491/434 or E-Mail at: ficci.it@ficci.com.
Look forward to your confirmation.
With best regards,
Sarika Gulyani
Joint Director &
Head-IT & Telecom Division
FICCI
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Categories : Business
Israeli air raids on Gaza continues
14072014World powers are to meet over the spiraling violence as the Palestinian death toll from the Israeli air campaign hit 172 with another 1,230 people wounded,media reports said.
Exodus from their homes and fearing for their lives, about 17,000 people have taken shelter in installations of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, the agency said in a statement.
As the death toll rose, the Gaza-based Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said most of the victims were civilians, putting their number at more than 130, among them 35 children and 26 women.
It also said Israel had destroyed 147 homes and badly damaged hundreds of others.Media agencies
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Categories : world News
PRESS INVITATION: 9 a.m. Media Launch of UN Report
14072014
UNIC India
To k.manoharan@unic.org
Today at 10:07 AM
Press Invitation – For Media Persons only
United Nations Information Centre
cordially invites you to the
media launch
of
UN Secretary-General’s 2014 Report on
MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, 16 July 2014
(Early launch to avoid conflict with Parliament’s timings!)
VENUE: UN Conference Hall, 55 Lodi Estate, New Delhi-110 003
CHIEF GUEST:
Dr. Najma Heptulla
Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Government of India
The Report will be presented to the press by
Dr. Jayati Ghosh
Professor of Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Ms. Lise Grande, UN Resident Coordinator
will reflect on MDG challenges and opportunities for India.
Mrs. Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman,
Director, UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan
will chair the launch.
The Secretary-General’s MDG Report is an annual global report card on how countries and regions of the world have fared in delivering on the urgent and time-bound promises made in the Millennium Declaration that sought to reduce global poverty, hunger, illiteracy, infant and maternal mortality, and pledged to create strategies for better gender equality, a cleaner environment and health for all.
RSVP: unic.india@unic.org; Phone: 46532242
Please carry a Press Photo ID with you to facilitate your entry into the UN Premises;
You will have to trade the Photo ID at our security desk for the visitor’s pass; and follow standard security procedures.
RAJIV CHANDRAN
National Information Officer
United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan
55 Lodi Estate, New Delhi-110003, INDIA
Phone: 91-11-4653-2237
mobile: 98106-06833
UNIC is now on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/wqrxXl
….and on Twitter: @UNICDELHI
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