THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 17 June 2020 (An inflection point (Indian Express))

An inflection point (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 2:International Relations
Prelims level: LAC
Mains level: Know about India China relations, what is LAC, the difference between LAC and LOC, border issues with China

Context:

• The brutalkilling of 20 Indian soldiers by the Chinese Army in the deadliest escalation of violence between India and China on the LAC in nearly four and half decades puts a heavy question mark on an already fraught process.
• It has the potential to vitiateand undermine the disengagement agreed upon only a few days ago between senior military officers on both sides and harden the standoff between the two countries.
• The provocation is grave— this is...................

CLICK HERE FOR FULL EDITORIAL (Only for Course Members)

Opening all lines of communication:

• When two armies are fully mobilised and standing eyeball to eyeball, there is always the possibility of an accident that triggers an escalation that neither side wants.
• Monday night’s clashes came after both sides had publicly stated that the situation was under control and that disengagement had begun in the Galwan area.
• The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused the Indian Army of violating the consensus that the two sides arrived at, and New Delhi has accused Beijing of doing the same.
• Clearly, much is being lost in translation even as Chinese adventurism breaches the understanding underlined in several meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
• New Delhi should activate all political lines of communication with Beijing, including the ones between the special representatives to the border negotiations and the foreign ministers, to make this point and take it forward.

Growing assertiveness:

• Many in Delhi have been lulledinto complacency by previous diplomatic successes in defusing military crises in Depsang (2013), Chumar (2014) and Doklam (2017).
• But Delhi can’t ignore the profound change in Beijing’s worldview and the new sense in Beijing that it can afford to take on all comers.
• Nor can Delhi turn a blind eye to Jinping’s political swagger, China’s growing assertiveness in the territorial disputes with its neighbours, its simmering Cold War with the United States, and the .....................

CLICK HERE FOR FULL EDITORIAL (Only for Course Members)

Conclusion:

• LAC violence breaches understanding of Modi-Xi meetings. Delhi must proceed with calm resolve, keeping lines to Beijing open.

  Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

  E-Books Download for UPSC IAS Exams

  General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q1. With reference to the Operation Desert Chase, consider the following statements:
1. Operation Desert Chase was the name of the Anti-espionage operation started by Military Intelligence (MI) in early 2019.
2. The Directorate of Military Intelligence (M.I.) was set up in 1941 and is based at Sena Bhavan in Delhi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: ..............................

CLICK HERE FOR FULL EDITORIAL (Only for Course Members)

Mains Questions:
Q1.  What is LAC? What are the ..................................