A Line Has Been Crossed

Context:  From an imminent threat, China is now a clear and present danger for India.

Chinese Ladakh Standoff Different from Previous Standoffs

• Pre-determined operation: movement of Chinese troops without provocation into eastern Ladakh and at multiple points overlooking Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO) road.
• Prior major stand-offs took place as a consequence of the incident. 
• Violation of peace and tranquillity agreements(both the 1993 and 1996):  which specify that exercises need to be conducted in designated zones and duly notified to each other.
• China has never conducted military exercises in the eastern Ladakh area.
• Not a stand-off, but a march up to the Line of Actual Control (LoAC) and across.
• China’s actions having larger motivation: not defined by just India but by its strategic objective of global domination.

India’s China Policy Departure

• Widening LoAC battle into the economic frame: of the relationship, despite Chinese military action. 
• Multi-alignment approach: through big power relationships
• India-Russia alliance for military procurement and political posturing.
• India-US cooperation on real-time intelligence like Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).

Elements of Chinese Power Play  

• Connectivity through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Dependencies through control of global supply chains
• Digital domination 
• Perfect strategic moment: posed by the Covid-19 crisis that has slowed others down.

Conclusion: India needs to prepare both militarily and economically for all eventualities, in absence of chances for Chinese back off.