Well defined and demarcated Borders and mutually accepted interests lead to good relations with neighbours.

As the adage goes, -’Good fences’(Borders) lead to good neighbourly relationships.Settling the borders and understanding the value of ‘MANTHAN’ / Cooperative type attitude is long overdue. Border demarcation, after comprehensive, on-ground survey of our entire Northern Border, from the Myanmar-China-India border point in the east to the China-Pakistan- India border point in the west, with due inputs from the Military posted along the Border, clearly demarcating our points of interest and the heights we need to occupy to protect them. The boundary line should be in the valley beyond such heights. The adversary would then occupy the next ridge or heights and therefore the valley in between would remain a ‘NO-MAN’S LAND’ and which would thereafter prevent ‘nibbling’ or ‘Fait accompli’ actions which cannot be acceptable by either side. This was done in 2012 to 2014, and the details of the Survey were shared with China. Follow -up action is now required.

MANTHAN POLICY

‘Manthan’ – not ‘Tug of War’ , the Asia way if dealing with neighbors.

The western and communist concept of progress was, and even today is, based on the ideas of scarcity, competition, domination through War, and ensuring prosperity for themselves, through piracy, looting, enslaving of others and expansion of their territory by occupation, at a severe cost to the original people of that region. This of course soon led to a situation where the hold of their Military on the assimilated lands could not be economically maintained and, therefore, to the inevitable collapse of the Empires.

This contrasts greatly with that of the Indian idea of civilization and progress. Progress through Wars, followed by pillage and looting, was not an Indian concept or way. There is no record, across the past many millennia, of Indian Kings conquering and taking over other kingdoms and resorting to loot and pillage. Infact, in many historic stories, farmers were said to continue to plough their fields close to active Battle grounds, confident that the rules of Dharma would not permit them to be harmed. Of course, Wars were indeed, and often resorted to by the Indian Rulers too, but only to resolve problematic issues or to establish vassalage. Generally, the defeated King or his relative, was allowed to continue as the Ruler. Acceptance of the Culture and Knowledge, ‘Soft Power’, was what spread the Indian influence over much of Asia, especially South-East Asia. This led to greater trade, exchange of ideas and greater prosperity for all. Ancient China, to some extent, and for limited period, also practiced such a policy.

The Indian way of war and progress was based on Dharma/ethics, cooperation, with the attitude of ‘Manthan’/ Cooperation. The idea of using a rope, not for a ‘Tug of War’ but to use it to together churn the ocean of possibilities that exist between the Nations, thus leading to greater and continuous abundance for all, and valuing the pursuit of knowledge not only for progress but also for its spiritual benefits. Generally, a ‘Tug of War’, or actual war, between two reasonably equally matched forces, would leave even the winner exhausted, and the victory would only be a Pyrrhic one.

This is what the story of the ‘Asuras’ and ‘Devas’, from our ancient tales tell us. Of the Samudra Manthan they undertook together and the many benefits they collectively got from that. This attitude enabled the culture and the Indian civilization to continue even long after the many individual Kings died or were replaced, and their lands assimilated, mostly peacefully, into that of the other Kingdoms and, for the spread of the Indian culture by voluntary acceptance by the locals there. This is why the Indian civilization is the only civilization, across the world, that has still continued to exist over millennia. Even today this difference, between the Western/Communist way, and the Indian way, is evident in their respective approach to progress and manner of dealing with others. It is this attitude of ‘Manthan’, and not that of a ‘Tug of War’, that we should now encourage and work with, to enable better use of available resources and generate abundance for All.

DEALING WITH CHINA

There is no reason why our two countries, India and China, cannot work together to take advantage of our respective strengths, China mostly in Manufacturing and Infrastructure and India mostly in Services and Culture. India can offer access to the Indian ocean through its territory, even POK and Aksaichin, to China, on payment of a cess on all goods or tourist traffic using such access. So too, China can offer India access to Central Asia and even beyond to Russia, Europe, Korea, and Japan, on similar terms. All Corporations or infrastructure or IT facilities, set up in each other’s country, should be mandated to employ at least 70 percent of the local citizens, at all levels below Board level and at least one -third at the Board level.

This Manthan policy, of working together versus the ‘Tug of War’ policy of working against each other, is now being explained to China as being beneficial to both countries and as being in line with our historic attitudes, and as having proved successful – before the incidence of Communism, with its western/communist mindset of a ‘Zero-sum’ game of winner takes all. In this world of Technological Progress, it will ensure better utilization of the strengths of each to provide Abundance for ALL. Hopefully, better sense can prevail and the historic and successful Asian way to work together to resolve any issues and ensuring harmony will be recognized as the best way. Such an Asian way will be an example to the rest of the World.

We look forward to China recognizing the value and benefits of the Manthan Policy and it being willing to implement it in dealing with India. If however, it does not do so, then we will no option but to deal with it as it calls for.

DEALING WITH PAKISTAN

Take up all possible water storage and management projects in J & K as allowed under the Indians Water Treaty of 1960 to avoid Pakistan taking undue advantage of the as is biased Indus Water Treaty. If deemed necessary, be prepared to re-negotiate, the Indus Water Treaty. If any untoward reaction is made by Pakistan, then we can justifiably takeover POK. Anyway taking back the POK, Gilgit – Baltistan area is already and announced aim of our Parliament.

We should also cancel the one-sided Free Trade Agreement that we have offered to them.

Also support the Baluchistan, Sindh, Pashtun freedom movements. Once they are free, we can deal with each appropriately.

(See Pakistan and J & K – The real Issue – and how India can react to Pak based Terrorism at www.ideaz4india.in)