Govt Should Share Details With Opposition, Media on Chinese Transgression, Honest Parl Debate Needed

1 week ago 13

Government should share more details with Opposition and public regarding Chinese transgressions & we need a more honest debate in parliament: Former Ambassador to China and Director, Institute of Chinese Studies, Ashok Kantha .......................................... One of India’s eminent former Ambassadors to China, who is at present the Director of the Institute of Chinese Studies, has said there is a need to share more details with the Opposition and the public regarding Chinese transgressions in Ladakh and he’s also said that we need a more honest debate in parliament on this issue. Ashok Kantha said this in an interview where he explains why he believes that the Foreign Minister’s statement in parliament on the 3rd of December “leaves several core questions unanswered.” The interview is about those unanswered questions. Because this is a complicated and not necessarily always easy to follow subject, I will stop here and leave you to find out more by watching the interview. However, to help you I will give you the questions put to Mr. Kantha, which are then pursued in the interview pretty vigorously and, at times, forcefully. Here they are:- 1) In an article you wrote for The Hindu on Monday you said the Foreign Minister’s statement in parliament on the 3rd of December “leaves several core questions unanswered”. I want to raise several of these questions with you one by one. First, after noting that the “resumption of patrolling to the traditional areas is underway”, you ask whether patrols can access five traditional patrolling points beyond Y-junction in Depsang and Charding Nala in Demchok. Do you fear they can’t? And if that is the case what would it mean? 2) Second, you ask whether the “coordinated patrolling” that will hereafter happen means there are restrictions on the size and frequency of India’s patrols. Again, can you explain why such restrictions, if they exist, would be a matter of concern? 3) Third, you ask whether the buffer zones at Galwan, Hot Spring, Gogra and Pangong Lake, which the Minister called “steps of a temporary and limited nature”, mean that “many of India’s traditional patrolling points are no longer accessible to its troops” and, similarly, many grazing grounds are no longer accessible to India’s grazers. What do you think is the answer? 4) So when Army Chief Gen. Dwivedi said, after the announcement of disengagement at Depsang and Demchok, that “we want to go back to the status quo of April 2020” your questions make clear we haven’t gone back to that status in Galwan, Hot Spring, Gogra and Pangong Lake and we are not sure if we have in Depsang and Demchok. 5) Now in his statement Mr. Jaishankar also said India “would not countenance any attempts to change the status quo unilaterally”. But in your Hindu article you ask: “Has not the status quo along the borders been changed by China since April 2020?” And you add: “discussions with retired senior military officials, who have served in Eastern Ladakh, suggest that there is denial of access to several traditional patrolling points under new arrangements”. Doesn’t this mean you fear China has unilaterally altered the status quo? 6) Connected to this is the fact we don’t know how long the buffer zones will last. But while they do last we will not have gone back to the status quo of April 2020. Isn’t that the case? 7) All of this you believe leads to a deeper concern which is that “the way India and China look at the LAC has changed”. Can you spell out the consequences of this? 8) Now in an earlier set of tweets dated the 6th of December you raised a question about the statement put out by the recent meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination. In that statement both sides “positively affirmed” that implementation of disengagement has “completed the resolution of the issues that emerged in 2020”. Your earlier questions suggest that isn’t the case and, therefore, that claim must be mistaken. 9) Let me now ask a question that would have probably occurred to the audience by now. Is the government hiding something from us? Or is it at least being less than honest and not telling us the full story? Your concerns raise that question. What’s your answer? 10) Finally, in your Hindu article you point out that on earlier occasions in the ’90s and early 2000s key opposition leaders were briefed in confidence about the India-China situation. Do you believe such briefings need to happen again? Join The Wire's Youtube Membership and get exclusive content, member-only emojis, live interaction with The Wire's founders, editors and reporters and much more. Memberships to The Wire Crew start at Rs 89/month. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWtJey46brNr7qHQpN6KLQ/join

The Vision and Mission of Upilink News - Empowering Informed Citizens

Welcome to Upilink News, your gateway to unbiased news, investigative journalism, and a platform free from government censorship. At Upilink, we believe in the power of information to empower citizens, fostering a well-informed society capable of making informed decisions.

Our platform, hosted at www.news.upilink.in, is meticulously curated to provide users with a reliable source of news, steering clear of propaganda and ensuring the delivery of objective reporting.

The Need for Upilink News

In an era where information is abundant but often tainted with bias and misinformation, the need for a trustworthy news source has never been more critical. Upilink News recognizes this necessity and strives to fill the gap by offering a carefully curated selection of news from diverse, reputable sources.

Our commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism distinguishes us as a beacon of truth in the digital news landscape.

Our Unique Approach

What sets Upilink News apart is our meticulous selection process for news sources.

We prioritize transparency, accountability, and reliability in our curation, ensuring that only the most credible and unbiased reports make it to our platform.

Our team of experienced journalists and fact-checkers work tirelessly to sift through the noise and present users with news that stands up to scrutiny.

The Role of Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism is at the heart of Upilink News. We understand that a well-functioning democracy relies on an informed citizenry, and investigative reporting plays a pivotal role in uncovering the truth. By supporting and promoting investigative journalism, we aim to contribute to a more transparent and accountable society.

Sustaining Upilink News - Your Support Matters

Free Access for All

At Upilink News, we firmly believe that access to information should be a fundamental right for everyone. Therefore, our platform is entirely free to use, allowing users from all walks of life to stay informed without any financial barrier.

Donations - Fueling Independent Journalism

To sustain our commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism, we rely on the generosity of our users. Your donations go directly towards supporting our team, maintaining our infrastructure, and enabling us to continually improve and expand our coverage.

By contributing, you become a vital part of the Upilink community, driving the mission to keep information free and accessible.

Advertisement - Balancing Sustainability

In addition to donations, we embrace advertisements as a means of generating revenue to support Upilink News.

In conclusion, Upilink News is more than just a news aggregator; it's a commitment to empowering citizens through unbiased information.

Join us in our mission, explore the diverse and credible news on our platform, and consider supporting us through donations. Together, let's build a community that values truth, transparency, and the power of an informed citizenry.