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Tribune India (28 May 2021)

Maj Gen Ashok K Mehta (retd)

The Chinese have hinted that India’s active participation in Quad would harm its strategic autonomy. India has to create counter-coercion strategies on land and in the Indian Ocean Region. The priority must be to build credible deterrence from Andaman & Nicobar to Malacca Straits against the Chinese navy. Another area of concern is Chinese build-up in Tibet: a new military base opposite Bhutan; an airport at Yadong opposite Nathu La and new military facilities in Chumbi valley near Sikkim.

Soon after disengagement from the Pangong Tso Lake in February during which India generously surrendered its vital ground on Chushul heights for the Chinese vacating the Fingers area, it was clear even to the blind that for the PLA, it was the end of disengagement from friction areas, despite commitment to follow up within 48 hours after the 10th round of talks to address other friction areas. [...]

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