Dictators’ Moves & Arm-Twisting Over Tibet

What is China’s game plan through the alliance of Russia and North Korea? And why has the Tibet issue suddenly flared up?

In global politics, several events started unfolding in quick succession so unexpectedly in the last few days that they have left even the foreign affairs experts astonished. However, it is essential to look at these events collectively because they are all interconnected and influencing one another, and most importantly, they will have a direct impact on our country. We cannot remain unaffected by them even if we want to. On one hand, there is the dangerous alliance and conspiratorial moves of three dictators -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un -- and on the other, the United States is shooting off India’s shoulders. There is a lot happening behind the scenes.

Now let’s examine the events one by one. In recent years, China has been renaming various places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and India has done little beyond verbal protests. However, immediately after coming to power for the third time, the NDA government suddenly passed a resolution to rename thirty places in Tibet. The manner in which this decision was made suggests it is part of a well-thought-out strategy. It is almost like challenging China. Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives passed an act with a majority vote to promote the resolution of the Tibet-China dispute. This act was passed with 391 votes in favour and only 26 against. The US Senate had already passed it. Now, consider what impact this act will have. It states that the US will provide funds to counter the misinformation China is spreading about Tibet’s history, people and institutions. This means the US will financially support the Tibet movement, posing a direct challenge to China, which has occupied Tibet.

The US didn’t stop there; its seven-member delegation came to India and met the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The Tibetan government-in-exile resides in Dharamshala. After the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama and his associates came to India and the Tibetan government-in-exile was established here. Former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi was also part of the delegation that met the Dalai Lama. The delegation raised the issue of Tibetan autonomy and assured full US support. This is probably the first time a foreign delegation has raised the Tibet issue from Indian soil. There are two points to consider here: Is this US delegation official, or did it come to India privately? Secondly, does the delegation have India’s support? Currently, there is a silence on both these aspects. However, it is certain that this has greatly troubled China. In fact, China fears that if the Tibet issue flares up again, it could face considerable trouble. This is exactly what the US and India want.

China understands this well and has promoted an alliance of dictators to counter the growing closeness between the US and India. It is consistently enhancing its cooperation with Russia. The growing proximity between Russia and China is not in India’s interest because Russia is India’s biggest defence partner. Meanwhile, by aligning Russia with North Korea, China has increased US concerns. Dictator Kim Jong Un is extremely unpredictable and he can do anything on a whim. He had been doling out threats to teach the US a lesson. Imagine how destructive it could be if the dangerous alliance between Putin and Kim Jong Un also has China’s support! Russia and North Korea have also agreed that in the event of an attack, they will support each other. But the director of this film is China, and naturally, it can use both of them as its pawns. Given that Russia is currently isolated globally, China’s proximity is as significant for it as India’s. However, for now, we should trust Russia because it has maintained its friendship with India on every forum and India has also reciprocated appropriately. The Chinese manoeuvre will not affect this relationship.

India is no longer a follower but a rapidly advancing country with its own vision on the global stage. Our voice is now heard worldwide. We are a big economic player and a big consumer too. No matter how many alliances China forges, the Tibet issue has resurfaced and will continue to echo. Although Tibet may not gain autonomy in the near future, it will remain a pain in China’s neck. Will we be able to force China into stopping its misadventure on the border? Standing firm on the Tibet issue is in the interest of India as well as Tibetans. The world is witness to the fact that no matter how powerful a dictator is, his downfall is inevitable. Yes, it does take some time. Just wait!
 
The author is the chairman,  Editorial Board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha.