National
‘Modi, Xi meet ing at Hamburg set the stage for resolving Doklam’
By Anjali Ojha
New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hamburg on the sidelines of the G-20 summit set the stage for a resolution of the Doklam standoff along the Sikkim border, a new book has revealed.
Modi and Xi had met on July 7 as the standoff, which started on June 16, was continuing. While the Ministry of External Affairs had said the two leaders discussed a range of issues, Chinese officials had at that time denied that any bilateral talks took place between the two leaders.
A new book, “Securing India the Modi Way”, by strategic affairs expert Nitin A. Gokhale, reveals that the meeting did take place after Modi walked up unannounced to Xi in the lounge for G-20 leaders.
“According to those in the know, the stage for a prolonged diplomatic engagement was set by Prime Minister Modi at Hamburg when he walked up unannounced to President Xi in the lounge for G-20 leaders,” says the book, which Vice President M. Venkiah Naidu launched on Friday.
“According to Indian diplomats witness to the impromptu meeting, the Chinese team was taken aback, if not stunned, by Modi’s initiative to meet Xi informally.”
According to the book, during the brief meeting, Modi suggested to Xi that the two Indian and Chinese Special Representatives — National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and State Councillor Yang Jiechi — should lead the efforts to resolve the Doklam standoff.
“Our strategic ties are far bigger than small tactical issues like Doklam,” Modi reportedly told Xi.
A fortnight later, Doval flew to Beijing for the scheduled BRICS NSAs meet.
In the meanwhile, during the period of the stand-off, at least 38 meetings were conducted in Beijing between the Indian side led by Ambassador Vijay Gokhale, a China specialist known to remain unruffled in tense situations, and Chinese officials. The Indian team was given clear instructions by Prime Minister Modi, NSA Doval and Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on India’s red lines.
“The team was told that India will remain resolute on the ground and reasonable in diplomacy,” the book says, adding that the fact that the BRICS summit was to be held in China in September also helped in resolving the issue.
“Having invested vigorously in the BRICS platform, China could not afford India’s absence at the summit…”
Ultimately, the understanding reached was that China will stop road construction in the area that sparked off the standoff, the book says.
Neither India nor China have mentioned any of these details in their statements after the standoff was resolved.
The book also reveals that trouble in the area started late in May and was spread over three phases — a “quiet” stand-off from May-end to June 25, build-up of forces on both sides between June 26 and August 14 and a subsequent thaw between August 15 and August 28.
On June 16, a light vehicle and nine heavy vehicles, including equipment, reached the area, and there was an “interaction” between Indian and PLA troops that morning. Shortly after, a Royal Bhutan Army patrol reached there and had an “interaction” with the PLA troops.
On June 17, Chinese bulldozers began work on constructing a temporary road and Indian troops “interacted” twice with the Chinese side, asking them to stop the construction activity. The bulldozers were in action on June 18 as well, and with the matter being reported to military hierarchy, Indian soldiers were ordered to stop the road construction party. Thereafter Indian troops formed a human chain to block the PLA.
On June 20, a flag meeting was held at Nathu La between officers of the rank of Major General and equivalent.
The ensuing days saw build-up on both sides, with temporary infrastructure coming up on both sides. A large number of tanks and guns were stationed opposite Sikkim by the Chinese.
“India also quietly matched the build-up, but due to a shorter logistics line, it did not have to get troops close to the border,” the book says.
The thaw started after August 14, and the disengagement finally took place on August 28.
(Anjali Ojha can be contacted at [email protected])
–IANS
ao/vm/tb/sac
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
