Playing Chinese checkers

Recognition of the predominantly tactical environment is fundamental to our being able to play China at its own game

There has been a plethora of writings in the last several months, and from people better informed and more strategically conscious, on what is happening on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Our best minds are theorising whether we are seeking resolution of “boundaries” as posited by the foreign ministers of our two countries in their latest five-point joint statement, or finalisation of LAC as differently conceived by ourselves and by China, or just disengagement. There are articulations on why China is doing what it is doing. Are they seeking more territory, or are they wanting to put us in