Yasir Ahmad
Sino-India conflict is one of the oldest known conflict in South Asia.The two nuclear giants have had many standoffs in the past. The bone of contention remains the Border issues. China claims parts of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh as it’s territorial entity while as India has continuously rebutted China’s claims. While both the rivals have even fought a war over border issue,t he tensions haven’t De-escalated since then. After 1962 War, both the sides have continuously witnessed many standoffs. Barely 5 years after the 1962war,China again attacked India in 1967 (2nd Sino- India war).The attacks were launched at Nathu la and chola places, though the standoff lived for a brief period of time, both the sides haven’t yielded any final conclusion. The ongoing tensions have once again brought the two nuclear powers on the brink of a war but this time a third party is gaining more out of these tensions and that indubitably is Pakistan. China’s recent ladakh move could be seen as a reaction to India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 (a special status) of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State. Like Pakistan, china too has objected India’s move to scrap JK of it’s special status as it also considers Jammu and Kashmir a disputed territory, though china has interests in ladakh region, the objection to India’s move has clearly benefitted Pakistan.
Due to ongoing tensions, India has rushed a huge reinforcement and it’s weapons to ladakh, this diversion of weapons and troops could also benefit Pakistan in many ways, firstly India’s vow to takeover Pakistan administrative Kashmir would be less worrisome for Islamabad and secondly the disputed Kashmir region could see a decrease in number of soldiers.
This will help Pakistan to internalize Kashmir issue once again. Another benefit for Pakistan out of Chinese intrusion could be seen as a reaction to India’s decision to build a feeder branch of DSDBO road. This road holds a crucial value for India as it enable India to bring supplies (both military and Manpower) by road (rather by air) to Siachen region, a disputed territory between India and Pakistan, in case the building of the road is put at halt, India can’t take an edge over Pakistan in this region. Due to ongoing tensions, India has rushed a huge reinforcement and it’s weapons to ladakh, this diversion of weapons and troops could also benefit Pakistan in many ways, firstly India’s vow to takeover Pakistan administrative Kashmir would be less worrisome for Islamabad and secondly the disputed Kashmir region could see a decrease in number of soldiers. So there is no doubt that Pakistan is a clear winner in the ongoing Sino-India conflict.
(The author is a freelancer. Views are his own, [email protected])
