China encircling India: Another China’s move

China encircling India: Another China’s move, New Delhi should take appropriate actions to counter China's increasing influence in S Asia

Chinas influence in Nepal, much to the chagrin of India, received a fillip on Sunday with Beijing extending its railway from Lhasa to Xigaze or Shigatse,a city in Tibet which borders Nepal,India and Bhutan.This is the first step taken by China to extend its rail link till-Nepal border.

As per Indian officials,this rail link till the Nepal border reduces Kathmandus dependence on India as it will enable them to import petroleum products from Beijing.Pictures posted on the internet by tourists show work on this railroad may already have begun.

Strategic affairs expert Chellaney believes the extension of railway and the highaltitude airports in Tibet is to be seen in context of PLA Dailys report that the railroad to Tibet is used to supply combat readiness material to their air force.China is now in a position to move additional forces to the border to potentially strike India.The way for India to respond is to shore up its conventional and nuclear deterrent capabilities, he said.

Nepal PM Madhav Kumar Nepal had urged China in October to extend the Beijing-Lhasa rail saying that it would take economic ties between Nepal and China to a new height. In return, Nepal assured China that they would not allow anti-China activity.

Courtesy- Times of India (27.09.10)



Prakash Chandra Trivedi

Engineer, BHEL