The Indo-China border standoff has been on for 20 days today, Wednesday. The Chinese Media has been extremely critical about the Indian Armed Forces. In an editorial with a popular news daily, they wrote ‘shameless’ India must be taught a ‘bitter lesson.’ They also added the Indian forces ‘will suffer greater losses than in 1962 war’ if a war starts today.
The media also said that Chinese public is “infuriated by India’s provocation” and “look(s) down” on India’s military might. The news daily is run by the state and accused India of “acting shamelessly before the international community.” It also said that India is ‘coercing’ Bhutan to be a part of the India-China standoff.
Last week, Beijing made an oblique reference to the 1962 war between India and China. To this, the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that 2017 India is much stronger than 1962 India and that they can face them head on. These remarks did not go well with the Chinese media, who said: “Jaitley is right that the India of 2017 is different from that of 1962 – India will suffer greater losses than in 1962 if it incites military conflicts.”
The news daily that published this editorial is run by Chinese Communist Party Official and acts as their mouth piece. The Chinese media started this criticism after the Indian Army chief Bipin Rawat said India “is ready for a two and a half front war.” The General was referring to Pakistan, China and also internal conflicts.
The editorial added that “If New Delhi believes that its military might can be used as leverage in the Donglang area, and it’s ready for a two and a half front war, we have to tell India that the Chinese look down on their military power.”
This standoff started after China started building a road in the Donglang area of Sikkim sector, which violated the 2012 agreement between the two countries. Speaking about this, the editorial said, “We firmly believe that the face off in the Donglang area will end up with the Indian troops in retreat. The Indian military can choose to return to its territory with dignity or be kicked out of the area by Chinese soldiers. This time, we must teach New Delhi a bitter lesson.”
China has been egging on India to initiate war with an exchange of words. Though the officials in New Delhi have been responding curtly, it is to be seen about the impending war or peace talks.
