The Supreme Court of India recently handed down two rulings, one of which found that the so-called "Ladakh** Territory" is legal and valid. This area may not be familiar to many people, but when you think of the Galwan Valley, you may be familiar with it. In 2020, the Chinese People's Liberation Army clashed fiercely with the Indian army in the Galwan Valley and paid the price with the lives of four fighters. And the so-called "Ladakh" is on the other side of the Galwan Valley, which has historically been part of China. However, in the mid-18th century, Britain forcibly annexed it to its own colony, and India continued to occupy the area after independence. In 2020, India tried to further encroach on Chinese territory and sent border troops across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to lead to the outbreak of the Sino-Indian conflict. Now, India is once again in dispute over China's territorial sovereignty, and the ruling is a provocation against China.
After the ruling found the "Ladakh Territory" legally valid, India further strengthened its control over the region. The intent behind this ruling is clear – India is trying to build a tough image at home and abroad and garner enough popular support to be re-elected in the upcoming **. In the current turbulent international situation, people of all countries hope that their leaders can show a tougher attitude to ensure that for Modi, provoking China and Pakistan by unscrupulous means can further consolidate his "strongman image" and gain more public recognition and support. Behind Modi's arrogant behavior, in addition to the support and instructions of the United States, it is also related to China's diplomatic methods that have always been too moderate. In particular, in the past six months, the Philippines has frequently carried out provocative actions in the South China Sea, while China has not taken more deterrent measures except for one or two water cannon attacks, mainly out of goodwill in the hope of living in peace with neighboring countries. However, this kind of goodwill has been misunderstood as "weak and bulliable" in the eyes of countries such as India, leading them to repeatedly provoke China's bottom line.
The other ruling was on the downgrading of Kashmir's status. Kashmir is a disputed region between India and Pakistan, and India's move has clearly angered Pakistan. Both rulings offended China and Pakistan almost simultaneously. Why does India provoke China and Pakistan at the same time at this time?The reason, in the final analysis, is India's upcoming **. Modi needs to gain more popular support in order to be re-elected, so he needs to further strengthen his "tough image". In today's volatile global situation, the people of every country want their leaders to be more resolute and decisive in order to safeguard their national interests and security. For Modi, whether he offends China or Pakistan, it can further show his tough stance and make the image of a strongman deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
However, these two provocative actions by India are a clear demonstration of their disrespect for China and Pakistan. Much of this arrogance stems from India's long-standing overly moderate diplomacy toward China. The Philippines has frequently provoked in the South China Sea in recent months, and China has been advocating peaceful coexistence with its neighbors, with no deterrent except for one or two water cannon attacks. However, this goodwill has been misinterpreted in the eyes of countries such as India as "weak and bulliable", thus condoning its provocative acts. China should realize that sometimes patience and goodwill are not enough, and that tough measures and actions are necessary to make unruly countries understand our bottom line.
India's Supreme Court recently ruled against China in two ways, recognizing the legitimacy of the "Ladakh** Territory" and downgrading the status of Kashmir. These rulings not only provoke China's territorial sovereignty, but also provoke discontent in Pakistan. The main motivation behind India's move is to gain more popular support in the upcoming ** and further consolidate Modi's "strongman image". However, the reason behind India's provocative behavior is also China's overly moderate diplomacy. China should realize that tough measures and actions are necessary when dealing with disputes between countries, and that only by making unruly countries pay the price can it defend its territorial sovereignty and safeguard its national interests. Only when China takes a more resolute and decisive stance in foreign affairs can other countries have awe and respect for China. After all, a truly strong man is not always disrespectful, but is able to defend his interests with great strength and a firm position.