Former Indian Army Chief Suggests China’s Involvement in Manipur Ethnic Clashes and Galwan Valley Incident
In a recent statement, India’s former army chief, General MM Naravane, indicated that the ongoing ethnic clashes in the Indian state of Manipur may be further fueled by the behind-the-scenes involvement of China. He expressed concerns over the instability in the country’s border states, emphasizing that it poses a threat to national security.
On July 28, During an interaction with journalists at the India International Centre on the topic of ‘National Security Perspective,’ General Naravane suggested that foreign agencies’ involvement in the Manipur violence “cannot be ruled out.” He pointed to records of “Chinese aid to various insurgent groups” as a reason behind the unrest. He asserted that China has been supporting these groups for years, and he believes such assistance will continue.
General Naravane also addressed the incident that took place in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh in May 2020 when Indian troops faced a clash with Chinese forces. He admitted that the reasons behind the Chinese aggression still remain unclear. He questioned whether it was a localized action or had received approval from higher authorities. Despite the global pandemic, he wondered why China took such a misadventure, which ultimately led to a standoff before tensions were eventually de-escalated.
Speculations regarding the Galwan Valley incident have been ongoing since its occurrence. General Naravane brought up the possibility of multiple factors influencing China’s actions, including the creation of the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The former Indian army chief’s comments have highlighted concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal matters and the need for vigilance to safeguard national security. However, it is essential to note that the involvement of foreign agencies, including China, remains a matter of investigation and diplomatic scrutiny.
The Manipur ethnic clashes and the Galwan Valley incident are issues of significant importance to India’s security and stability, and any involvement of external actors must be thoroughly examined and addressed by relevant authorities.
***
