Chandigarh, June 13

Four alumni of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI), Mohali, were among the 423 Gentlemen Cadets, including 90 foreign cadets, who were commissioned as officers at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, today.

They included Lt Karan Singh Cheema, a third-generation officer who has joined the Assam Regiment, and Simranjit Singh, who has joined his father’s regiment, Skinner’s Horse.

D Gurbaz Singh and Gurlal Singh have joined the Regiment of Artillery.

They were from the fourth batch of the institute that was set up by the Punjab Government to arrest the declining trend of youth from the state joining the armed forces as commissioned officers. — TNS

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 14

Sikh bodies have welcomed the UK authorities’ proposal to rechristen the Havelock Road in Southall as Guru Nanak Road.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said if this proposal was executed, it would be a befitting tribute to Guru Nanak Dev in view of the 550th Gurpurb.

“This road will be a symbol of recognition of the Sikh community’s huge contribution, be it to the UK’s economy or social service. It will also help in strengthening the anti-racism campaign on foreign soil. Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, the largest shrine in western Europe, is also located on the same street, which would further complement its significance,” he said.

In the wake of “Black Lives Matter” protests, the UK’s Ealing Council has been reviewing colonialist connects associated with its street names and statues. A survey was already being conducted on the proposed name of the road. At present, the road is named after British General Sir Henry Havelock, who was involved in the recapture of Cawnpore (now Kanpur) in Uttar Pradesh during the First War of Independence in 1857.

DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the langar tradition taught by Guru Nanak Dev, which had got acclaim world over especially during the Covid-19 crisis, had shown its impact.

“That’s why the foreign community recognised Guru Nanak’s philosophy of communal harmony in the modern materialistic world,” he said.

However, Sukhdev Singh, Punjab convener, Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), said, “As a Sikh devotee, it was a matter of pride to name the UK road after the founder of Sikhism. But historically speaking, the streets and monuments signify the legacy of occurrences and their names apprise of those chapters of the past from where the community ultimately rescued. So, the original names should not be altered.”

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 14

On August 5 last year, when Parliament approved an amendment to Article 370 of the Constitution to carve out Ladakh as a separate Union Territory, China responded with angry statements.

Beijing questioned the “changed status” of the “boundary”, whereas in reality there is no boundary and it never was and largely due to the Chinese, who have rejected every such proposal in 174 years, or since 1846. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is a kind of loose understanding with several disputes and overlapping claims, especially along the 826 front in Ladakh.

• Want peace, not China’s territory, says Gadkari

Since 1846, when the British took over J&K post the first Anglo-Sikh War, an attempt was made to have a boundary and was quickly followed up in 1847. In all, the British proposed boundaries — five separate ones in 1846-47, 1865, 1873, 1899 and 1914, China rejected each of them. Britain got China to send in troops during World War I and II, but the boundary remained undecided.

Major Alexandar Cunnigham, who led the British attempt in 1847 to demarcate the boundary, details this in his 1854 book “Ladakh Physical, Statistical and Geographical”. He narrates “The settlement of this boundary (between Ladakh and Tibet) was of some importance”.

In 1834, the Dogra Army, led by General Zorawar Singh, captured Ladakh. During the Sino-Sikh War (1841–42), the Qing Empire invaded Ladakh, but the Sino-Tibetan army was defeated and “a letter of agreement” was signed in 1842.

Since August last year, China’s foreign affairs ministry has questioned the move on Article 370. At an informal session of the UN Security Council in August 2019, the Chinese Permanent Representative in the UN had argued that India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 challenged China’s sovereign interests and violated bilateral agreements on maintaining peace in the border area. In Ladakh, only two spots along the LAC are disputed.

One is at Trig Heights in the north-eastern edge of Ladakh and the other is Demchok. Besides, both sides carry out patrolling in what they perceive as the boundary — at the northern edge of Pangong Tso, Sppangur Gap, Kongka La, Chumur, Mount Sajun, Hot Springs and Samar Lungpa. However, not a bullet has been fired since November 1962 in Ladakh.

Sequence of events post Independence

• 1947: Chinese army enters Tibet
• 1950: India unilaterally declares McMahon Line in Arunachal as its boundary
• 1954: India claims Aksai Chin as part of its northern border
• 1958: India discovers China has built a road over the plateau of Aksai Chin
• 1959: PM Nehru rejects Chou En-lai’s letter accusing Indians of overstepping McMahon Line
• 1960: China bizarrely expands its claim on another 5,100 sq km of the territory in eastern Ladakh
• 1960: China wants status quo — India keeps NEFA (now Arunachal), while China keeps Aksai Chin — northeast edge of J&K
• 1961: In November, India launches forward policy to retain control over territory
• 1962: In Oct-Nov, India-China go to war
• 1993: Pact is inked on maintenance of peace along LAC
• 2014: PM Modi suggests demarcation of LAC, China says let representatives resolve it

ndia can live with the new map, though the dissonance will harm both countries, but hit Nepal hard. The cost of ultra-nationalism will be heavy. The principal beneficiary will be China. The hangover of India being rebuffed over Nepal’s new Constitution in 2015 and the economic blockade has not gone away.

Maj Gen Ashok K Mehta (retd)

Military commentator

Nepal’s new map became a reality on Saturday after its ratification by parliament as a Constitutional Amendment Bill. India had suggested that by crossing the red lines of issuing the new map and tabling the Bill in parliament, Nepal had closed the door on dialogue. Earlier, after Nepal Prime Minister KP Oli’s intemperate outburst in parliament about India on the border dispute, it had said that Nepal has to create the right ambience for talks, hinting at the shelving of the new map and the Bill and the lowering of the rhetoric. Still earlier, it informed Nepal that talks on the border dispute could be held after the Covid emergency.

By dragging its feet in providing a date for talks since last year when the border row re-erupted, New Delhi fuelled the rise of territorial nationalism which was exploited by Oli in salvaging his political career, assisted copiously by China’s overreach in the once-off limits: Nepal’s domestic politics. The ground reality is that India and Nepal, after 26 years of negotiations, have resolved 98 per cent of the border issues, except Susta and Kalapani.

India missed not once, not twice, but thrice, the opportunity to break the ice and shift protests from the streets and parliament to the negotiating table. On at least two occasions — in November-December 2019 and March 2020 — while in Nepal, I witnessed demonstrable anti-India sentiment and critique of New Delhi’s protracted silence over Kalapani.

What triggered the recent wave of protests among the media, public and political elite in Nepal was first, the publication on November 2, 2019, by the Survey of India, of a new political map — eighth edition — after the change of status of J&K followed by the ninth edition on November 8. The boundary delineation in both maps was similar, except that from the November 8 map, the Kali river’s name was deleted. In a radio interview with me, Nepal’s renowned radio-TV journalist Rishi Dhamala pointed this out. This was reason enough for a highly emotional border issue to blow up. After the map misstep, Nepal asked for foreign secretary-level talks — sent three notes on November 20 and 22 and December 30 — but, according to Kathmandu, got no response from India.

Second, even as the offending map issue was simmering, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on May 8, virtually inaugurated the blacktop road connecting the pilgrimage route to Kailash Mansarovar and ancient trading point with China with Lipulekh Pass, claimed by Nepal as part of the disputed triangle of territory consisting of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh Pass and Kalapani.

India should have let sleeping dogs lie, even though the road has been under construction for more than a decade and Nepal never objected to it. The road threw a lifeline to an embattled Oli, cornered by his party for misgovernance, political excesses and arrogance. His SOS on May Day to China ensured he retained his party and government’s leadership. On May 11, Nepal issued a diplomatic note on the road to Ambassador Vinay Kwatra in Kathmandu and a similar note to the MEA in New Delhi. According to Nepal, diplomatic notes were not acknowledged. India did respond later, saying that talks could be held after the Covid emergency. A tele-conversation between the foreign secretaries was necessary to cool tempers while formalising formal dates for talks.

Last November, Oli said Nepal would not issue its own map. But on December 13, his Minister for Land Management and Cooperative, Padma Aryal, stated that Nepal would publish a new map. That should have alerted New Delhi. The last chance for India to stall Nepal’s new map and the CA Bill — and possibly pre-empt both — was between May 19 and 31.

According to the Nepalese media, PM Narendra Modi was expected to call Oli on May 19, but due to his preoccupation, the conversation did not materialise. The next day, the map was released, endorsed by an all-party meeting on May 26 and tabled in parliament on May 31. The Bill sailed through parliament two days ago with an unprecedented unanimity, including the 34 votes of the new Janata Samajwadi Party of the predominantly Madhesi lawmakers.

During these developments, India had noted Nepal’s cartographic aggression and artificial map, unilaterally altering status quo, pending talks. India has reiterated that it deeply values its civilisational, cultural and friendly relations with Nepal, adding that it has kept the border open for emergency supplies and provided 25 tonnes of medicines to Nepal.

Canada-based Nepali thinker Naresh Koirala has said that history will tell whether Nepal’s new map was an effective strategy to resolve the border dispute or a gamble with long-term consequences for India-Nepal ties. The trust deficit, already low, could sink irretrievably. The unique army-to-army relations will take a hit as will the pro-India ex-servicemen’s community, which is being sniped at by their fellow folks. The Army chiefs of India and Nepal are honorary generals in each other’s armies and India has been the first responder in Nepal’s political and national emergencies.

The remarks of General MM Naravane were not helpful though he later sounded conciliatory. Nearly 40,000 Gorkha soldiers have fought India’s wars and won gallantry awards, sacrificing their lives for India’s sovereignty. The open border and special privileges to Nepali citizens in India may unravel. The long-touted special relationship, that vanished decades ago, because New Delhi failed to recognise the arrival of the post-civil war new Nepal, globalised Nepali and nationalistic political leadership, markedly leaning towards China. Given the fractured opposition, the ruling Nepal Communist Party is in a commanding position till the 2023 elections.

India can live with the new map, though the dissonance will harm both countries, but hit Nepal hard. The cost of ultra-nationalism will be heavy and the principal beneficiary, China. The hangover of India being rebuffed over Nepal’s new Constitution in 2015 and economic blockade has not gone away. Still, history will also judge whether India could have prevented what turned out to be a fait accompli. Perhaps, a phone call from Modi, who won the hearts and minds of the Nepalese in 2014, to Oli, may have saved the day.

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Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service
Jammu, June 14 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that India was trying to resolve conflicts with China through militarily- and diplomatic-level talks. He said that China had also shown its willingness to solve all conflicts through dialogue.

“Talks—both at the military and the diplomatic level—are already going on between the two countries,” the Defence Minister said while addressing the first-ever virtual ‘Jammu Samvad Rally’ to highlight the achievements of the BJP-led government at the Centre.

“Neither the opposition nor Parliament will be kept in the dark about talks with China,” said Rajnath Singh.

In an obvious reference to recent statements of Congress leaders, he said, “In a democracy, we realized the importance of the opposition and we respect them also.”

“We are living in a democratic country and the opposition has its own role. I assured the opposition that details of the ongoing dialogue between India and China will be divulged at the appropriate time,” the Defence Minister said, adding, “Time and again the government has briefed the nation about developments on the borders.”

Singh, however, made it clear that the “pride of the nation” will be protected at any cost.

“There will be no compromise on the nation’s pride,” he said.

The Defence Minister said that India was “competent” enough to defend the nation.

“We are equipping our forces with advanced weapons,” Singh said and revealed that the supply of multi-role fighter aircrafts Rafale will start in July this year.

Akashdeep Singh Dhillon has been commissioned into the elite Parachute Regiment

Last month, General Naravane had stated that Nepal was ratcheting up the Lipulekh border issue at the “behest of someone else and that is very much possible”, insinuating Chinese interference. The Indian Army has been locked in a military stand-off with China near the Line of Actual Control around Pangong lake since 5 May.

“We have a very strong relationship with Nepal. We have geographical, cultural, historical, religious linkages. We have very strong people to people connect. Our relation with them has always been strong and will remain strong in the future,” Naravane said at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Saturday. Naravane was there to attend a passing out parade.

Also read: India silent as Nepal set to amend its Constitution to adopt new map

Army chief’s timing 

The remarks come on a day when the House of Representatives, or Nepal’s lower house of parliament, votes for a bill to amend their Constitution to include the disputed regions of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani in its official map.

The bill seeks to amend Schedule 3 of the Nepalese Constitution to reflect the new map, which shows the disputed territories within its borders.

“The Army Chief had really made an unnecessary comment. I think there is some thinking in New Delhi to settle the matters at the level of the both armies at least while political haggling continues,” said S.D. Muni, member of Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses’ executive council and professor emeritus at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

“Initially, there were talks that the Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat will speak to Nepal’s defence minister. Nevertheless, the matter now seems settled between the armies. Let the politics take its own course.”

Traditionally, due to close relations between both countries, Nepal follows a norm wherein the Indian Army chief is conferred the title of chief ‘honorary general’ of the Nepal Army.

ThePrint had reported that owing to Naravane’s earlier remarks, Nepal could this time break away from that long-standing tradition.

Nepal’s Defence Minister Ishwor Pokhrel had called the remarks by the Indian Army Chief an “insulting statement” and said it had “hurt the sentiments of the Nepali Gurkha army personnel who lay down their lives to protect India … It must now become difficult for them to stand tall in front of the Gurkha forces”.

Also read: Won’t accept ‘artificial enlargement’ of territory — India hits back as Nepal redraws map

Nepal’s new map

Once the bill is passed in the lower house, the National Assembly, which is Nepal’s upper house of parliament, will take it up. That process will take another week or so, after which, the map will become permanent in their Constitution.

“The damage has been done, there is no doubt about it. The situation has aggravated since he (General Naravane) made those comments. Nepal’s strategic partnership with China is growing across the board and many of the internal political problems in Nepal is being managed by them that is for sure, but for the Indian Army chief to speak like that did not go down well with Nepali people,” said Vijay Kanta Karna, former diplomat and now professor of political science at Nepal’s Tribhuvan University.

Nepal officially released its new political map on 20 May.

Also read: Mocking Indian emblem, redrawing Nepal map, KP Oli’s adventures are growing

Addressing gentlemen cadets at the Indian Military Academy, General M M Naravane said the officers are being commissioned into the army under most daunting circumstances.

Addressing gentlemen cadets at the Indian Military Academy here as the reviewing officer of a passing out parade, Gen Naravane said they are being commissioned as officers into the army under the most daunting of circumstances and the high standards of their military training will help them overcome the challenges lying in store for them.

The parade saw a total of 423 cadets being commissioned into the army including 333 from the country and 90 from friendly foreign countries.

“These are difficult times for the country. Its safety, honour and respect depends on your abilities as military leaders. You have to live up to the expectations of your countrymen. You have to ensure that whatever you do is for their welfare,” he said.

The army chief said there are no good or bad regiments but only good officers.

“Become one with your men. Win their trust and affection and they will win battles for you,” Naravane said.

He asked the gentlemen cadets to throw themselves into their new role as commissioned officers with passion but also be compassionate towards their men.

“When the going gets tough and all seems lost, it is the spirit of your men that helps you win,” he said.

Also read: Army plans to expand roles for elite special and airborne forces known for surgical strikes

He said the gentlemen cadets who are taking their first step as commissioned officers will have to take decisions in the tactical and operational domain as well as resolve ethical issues and they will have only their conscience to guide them.

“In such critical moments let the core values enshrined in the preamble of the constitution of India be your guiding light,” the Army Chief said.

“I would like to assure everyone that the entire situation along our borders with China is under control. We are having a series of talks which started with Corps Commander level talks which was followed up with meetings at the local level between commanders of equivalent ranks,” Naravane told reporters on the sidelines of the Indian Military Academy’s Passing Out Parade here.

He said the ongoing dialogue will sort out all the perceived differences between the two countries.

“As a result a lot of disengagement has taken place and we are hopeful that through the continued dialogue that we are having, all perceived differences that we (India and China) have will be set to rest,” the Army chief said.

He said both sides have begun to disengage in a phased manner and the process has started from the north.

“Both sides are disengaging in a phased manner. We have started from the north, from the area of the Galwan river where a lot of disengagement has taken place. It has been a very fruitful dialogue that we have had. And as I said it will go on and the situation will improve as we go on,” he said.

Replying to a question on Nepal, which has revised its map showing Lipulekh as Nepalese territory, he said India has always had strong ties with Nepal and they will remain strong in future.

“We have a very strong relationship with Nepal. We have geographical, cultural, historical, religious linkages. We have very strong people-to-people connect. Our relation with them has always been strong and will remain strong in the future.”

Also read: Indian Army chief says ties will remain strong, hours before Nepal votes on controversial map