Katchatheevu To Ladakh Stand-Off: How Poll Potshots Could Land India In A Foreign Policy Fix

As India’s foreign-policy-related developments – including those from dusty old files dating decades back – are flipped through at rallies amid the ongoing parliamentary elections, their likely impact on the country’s international relations and security interests bears a moment of thought. 

From the Opposition to the ruling dispensation, several leaders have been citing episodes like the Ladakh stand-off with China and the 1974 treaty on Katchatheevu with Sri Lanka to woo voters. The motive is to accuse rivals of surrendering India’s national interests – for the Opposition, the Modi government is to blame and, for the current administration, the guilty party is past governments.

In their effort to do so, however, both sides are presenting distorted pictures of bilateral relations, without realising the very real implications it could have. Especially with the international community – including India’s neighbours – closely watching the election rhetoric. 

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On The LAC Stand-Off

As the Opposition parties rake up the issue of Chinese violations at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, which they allege have resulted in India losing a huge chunk of land, the ruling party is harping on Nehru and Indira’s so-called blunders that they claim are still troubling the nation’s security planners. 

The government’s response to the China allegations is that India has not lost an inch of land on the un-demarcated border.  

Strategic observers argue that this could weaken India’s negotiating position with China, as Indian military commanders hold a dialogue with their Chinese counterparts to find a way out of the four-year-old impasse. 

The Chinese interlocutors can easily cite the statements of India’s national leaders – that India has not lost any territory to China – to claim that China has not encroached on any Indian territory, and blame India for stoking the face-off.

Meanwhile, the Katchhatheevu island issue – raked up ahead of the elections – might impact India’s relations with Sri Lanka and, in turn, give space to China to expand its hold on the country. 

Issues relating to the 2015 exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh – another crucial neighbour and South Asian theatre for India and China’s battle for influence – have also been raised by the Opposition.  

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‘Ghar Mein Ghuske Maara Jaata Hai’

At election rallies, government leaders also appear to be taking credit for terrorist killings in Pakistan (“atankwadiyon ko ghar mein mein ghuske maara jaata hai”). 

This comes amid allegations of Indian agents carrying out or plotting targeted killings of terrorists in Pakistan and the US and Canada – allegations firmly denied by the Indian government.

At a time when the Indian government is facing worldwide brickbats for democratic backsliding, the country’s image could take a severe hit because of these alleged “extra-territorial killings”. Even if we assume that it is in India’s interest that these anti-India elements are gradually being eliminated, taking public credit for secret misadventures will present India in a bad light. 

Among other things, this could severely dent India’s claim as a democratic power to ascend the high table of the United Nations  Security Council. 

India has of late been projecting itself as the mother of all democracies, but taking steps that show otherwise. The ongoing parliamentary elections should have been utilised to present India as a model of democracy, which needs to be emulated by all the countries.

It’s because of India’s democratic credentials that it has often been cited as a country to be promoted to counter the rising influence of authoritarian China, and India is often referred to as a leader of the democratic world.

The Modi government’s foreign policy adventurism has raised India’s profile in the world and earned laurels from the domestic audience. It’s the fastest growing economy, boasts of the largest population, and is a much sought-after partner among both economic powers and the global south. 

Even so, the ‘democratic India’ image is being blurred by the undemocratic actions of the government. The recent expulsion of French and Australian journalists for views unpalatable to the ruling elite, and reports that Indian media has been subjugated, could take the shine away from India’s image as a freedom-loving democratic power.  

The manner in which the Indian envoy to Ireland issued a rejoinder to editorial comments made in a leading Irish daily offers another troubling example. 

It’s probably India’s rise as a leading world economy that is dissuading world powers from decrying India. But Indian leaders should realise that democratic credentials also add to comprehensive national strength and enhance the magnetism of the country, where ideas and businesses can thrive in an open and competitive environment.

Dissenting views should be respected, and this is the basic tenet of a democracy. Doing so will raise India’s stature in the comity of democratic nations. 

The author is a senior journalist and strategic affairs analyst

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