The Press THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 1962. India’s Military Victory

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29842, 7 June 1962, Page 12

The Press THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 1962. India’s Military Victory

India’s refusal to make a trade agreement with China and the sealing of the Tibetan border are evidence of rising confidence in New Delhi. They are also the fruits of a military victory won by the Indian army without firing a shot. The Chinese who had crossed the Himalayan frontier nowhave Indian soldiers behind them as well as in front. The movement of Indian troops continued throughout the winter when usually nothing moves. The Indians spread a rumour through New Delhi embassies that they would attack on the Ladakh front when the snows melted at the end of May; but six weeks earlier they quietly worked their way through the Chinese lines. One daring patrol struck up the frozen Chipchak river to mask the Chinese forces close to the Karakoram pass. More important, perhaps, than the outflanking of the Chinese advanced posts is the efficient supply system that made it possible. India can now reinforce and support its army more quickly than China can. It may take another year for India to complete its defensive system, but already the military balance has changed. Politically, China has suffered a loss of face in Asia, and Indian morale has risen.

Once China and India used to boast of their Himalayan frontier as a model of international

amity. Like the line between Canada and the United States it was unguarded, but it was singular in its tradition of unbroken peace for 15 centuries. In the last five years all that has changed, largely because of the Chinese seizure] of Tibet. Strong forces now] manoeuvre through the l passes, some of which are; not so very high. Mr Nehru; uses threatening language.; and refuses to negotiate on; the frontier until China has.l in the phrase of Mr Menon, ‘ “ vacated aggression ”. Mr! Nehru, a cautious man. has; at last decided that the timei has come to make a stand.; His moderation in the face! of Chinese provocation over! the last three years was not; entirely guileless, because: he was able to use the; interval to build the moun-; tain roads and airfields to; support his bargaining power. “ Broadly speaking, “we do not want a war “ w’ith China ”, Mr Nehru says, “ but that is not within; "our control. Therefore we “ have to prepare for the “ contingency ”, What he means is that India will not withdraw: the next move is with China. In reaching this stand, India has had to weigh the consequences of its feud with Pakistan, the risks of the Naga rebellion, and the effect of the new friendliness of Nepal with China. But China, in turn, must take into account its economic distress and the danger that India could exploit the simmering resentment of the Tibetans.