Indians give it to China on Taiwan Day ::: India snubs Pak, says NAM never a platform for undermining 'territorial integrity'

Tit for Tat: Indians give it to China on Taiwan Day in language it understands ?

New Delhi: 

The refrains from lakhs of Indians on Twitter and other social network platforms were crystal clear. Beijing has always tried to instigate troublemakers in India, trained militants in the northeast including the Nagas and ULFA cadres gave them training and provided all logistic support.

Thus, this was the time - 10th of October - Taiwan National Day and hence Indians should give Chinese the taste of its own pudding or the noodles! 

"Congrats Taiwan National Day, Indians are always standing with our friends and keep flying high," tweeted one Puneet Chaturvedi.

Another missive from a netizen said things more emphatically - "Namaste. We are the world, we are the one. 

Let's fight against one evil. Let's suppress the roaring evil and bring peace to the world. Happy Taiwan National Day".

Another net savvy Neelav Kashyap describing himself as a proud Indian in the micro blogging site profile says:

"We 1.3 billion Indians are always with you, God bless India and God bless Taiwan. Hope one day Taiwan becomes an independent country".

Vice President of Taiwan Lai Ching-te in a missive said: "Proud to see our flag fly high and be recognized all over the world. We thank the people from so many countries who today expressed congratulations and support. Especially our Indian friends. Namaste!"

According to 'Global Times', Zhao Gancheng, director of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, said "India is playing with fire by challenging the one-China policy." 

In fact, a large number of posters complimenting Taiwan on its National Day on October 10 put up by Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga created waves across social network platforms and media.

A large number of such posters came up near the Chinese embassy in the high security zone in the capital.

Chinese embassy in Delhi earlier tried to issue diktats to indian media. In fact, a  ‘letter’ to Indian media personnel counseled that they should not use terminology that indicated that the island state - Taiwan - as an independent existence.

“The Chinese Embassy in India would like to remind our media friends that there is only one China in the world... Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. These facts are recognised by the UN resolution and constitute the universal consensus of the international community,” China said in its advisory.

 

“We hope Indian media can stick to Indian government’s position on Taiwan, and do not violate the One-China principle. In particular, Taiwan shall not be referred to as a “country (nation)” or “Republic of China” or the leader of China’s Taiwan region as “President”, so as to not send wrong signals to the general public,” the Chinese Embassy statement read.

During the weekly briefing on Thursday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava  was asked for a response on the instructions sent by the Chinese embassy.

“There is a free media that reports on issues as it sees fit,” replied Srivastava in a very brief response without going into

India's policy towards Taiwan.

In its missive, the Chinese embassy hoped that Indian media would “stick to Indian government’s position on the Taiwan question”. “In particular, Taiwan shall not be referred to as a “country(nation)” or “Republic of China” or the leader of China’s Taiwan region as “President”, so as not to send the wrong signals to the general public”.

In geo-political terms, the international community too has high stakes in Taiwan. China is seen as an expansionist

and also an authoritarian and thus 'losing a democratic Taiwan' would signal a change of games in the Pacific.

This could also appear detrimental to the US allies like Japan and South Korea.

For its part, China seems to be caring 'little' about reasons and international norms.

Pursuing what is seen as an ultra-nationalistic policy towards its minorities and pro-democratic citizens, President Xi Jinping's regime has used strong hands to handle dissidence in Hong Kong, the Buddhist struggle in Tibet, and Uyghur Muslims' clamor for religious freedom in Xinjiang province.

"With an iron fist, China locked horns with its neighbors over disputed islands in the South China Sea. On its Himalayan side of the border, the Chinese army has confronted Indian troops twice this year," says a write up in UCA News.

Old timers among the security agency sleuths say in 1966-67, China not only had backed

the Naxalites upsiring in parts of West Bengal, in the same year Naga rebel leader Thuingaleng Muivah and his other colleagues went to Yunnan province.

Another source in the ruling BJP said it is a matter of concern that the Chinese agencies

are keeping a close watch on the process of Naga peace talks and latest developments since mid June.

Giving the contest, the source said even during the UPA regime in 2011-12, Chinese agents including

a woman posing as a TV journalist reportedly visited the headquarters of the NSCN-IM near Dimapur

and held a three-hour-long meeting with Muivah.

Around the same time, Muivah had told an Indian TV channel that: "I have great respect for Chinese leaders and Chinese people....They tried to understand our point of view".

NAM never a platform for undermining the territorial integrity of a nation, says India

New Delhi: India yet again made a mild snub at Pakistan and counselled it that individual members of reputed fora like Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) must stop and think before raising issues that are "not on the agenda" and which find no resonance in the wider membership.
 

"NAM never was and never can be a platform for pursuits aimed at undermining the territorial integrity of a State by another State," said Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan at the 75th United Nations General Assembly Ministerial Meeting of the NAM on Friday.

 

Addressing the virtual ministerial meeting of the NAM, hosted by Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi raised the issues of Kashmir and Palestine.

 

The Movement must address emerging and existing challenges, Qureshi said adding,

 

"NAM and the international community must strengthen the calls for a just, peaceful and expeditious resolution" of issues in Kashmir and Palestine.

 

However, in his address, Indian MoS Muraleedharan said, the strength of the NAM family lies in its diversity and its shared developmental experience.

 

NAM has the potential to take the lead in addressing the primary issues of our times, he said. "When we stand together and speak in one voice, for instance in our Movement's steadfast commitment to the cause of Palestine, we can and do have a decisive influence on global outcomes - we can be a force for good," he said but at the same time maintained that on the other hand, "if we take up issues that divide rather than unite us, reducing our Movement to a platform for venting bilateral grievances or for embarrassing fellow Members, we will soon become a weak and irrelevant entity".

 

In such a scenario, NAM can have no say "at all in global decision making".

 

"Even as we call for effective and reformed multilateralism, we need to introspect, reform and revitalise the current arrangements of our Movement....," he said.

 

The Minister said NAM has a glorious past. "However, how the future will judge us will depend on how we perform in addressing the defining challenges of our era".

 

It may be mentioned that in his address to the NAM Summit (through video conference) earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on May 4: "Even as the world fights COVID-19, some people are busy spreading other deadly viruses. Such as terrorism. Such as fake news, and doctored videos to divide communities and countries". Though no country was named, it was clear that Modi was directing his ire against Pakistan.

 

In his address on Friday, October 9, MoS Muraleedharan also referred to 'fake news' and said: "Terrorism and their enablers continue to spread their tentacles unabated. Misinformation and fake news are wreaking havoc on social cohesion and collective security". Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had given the SAARC meet on Covid-19 a slip and had instead nominated his Health Minister to speak.

 

It was "churlish" of Pakistan to politicise a humanitarian issue by raking up the Kashmir matter at a video conference between SAARC leaders held with an aim to chalk out a joint strategy to fight the coronavirus pandemic, Indian government sources had said. Pakistan had deputed state Minister of Health Zafar Mirza.

 

However, besides Modi; Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, Bhutanese premier Lotay Tshering, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had participated in the video conference.

(Used in 'Organiser') 

(https://www.organiser.org/Encyc/2020/10/10/NAM-never-a-platform-for-undermining-the-territorial-integrity-of-a-nation-says-India.html)

Statement by Minister of State for External Affairs at the 75th United Nations General Assembly Ministerial Meeting of the Non Aligned Movement

October 09, 2020

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to join some of India’s longest standing friends at this virtual Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement.

2. I wish to thank President Aliyev of Azerbaijan for his leadership of our Movement as we face an unprecedented common challenge. We commend your initiatives of establishing the NAM Contact Group and Task Force in response to COVID-19, and of proposing the convening of a special UN General Assembly virtual session on COVID-19. You have India’s support in these efforts.

Excellencies,

3. We are also meeting in a year of shared milestones: the United Nations turns 75 years old this year. This year also marks the 65th anniversary of the landmark Bandung Conference that resulted in the adoption of the founding principles of the Non Aligned Movement.

4. Over the decades, these core principles have served as anchors in the political and socio-economic journeys of many of our nations. These principles have helped us overcome immense challenges such as colonialism and apartheid, and are today reflected in our steadfast support to the cause of Palestine.

5. Today, as we contend with yet another grave challenge, it is these very principles of solidarity and cooperation that will guide the way.

6. COVID-19 has reminded us of our interconnectedness, and dependence on each other. We cannot fight this adversary alone.

7. It is the people of our countries that stand to be hardest hit by this pandemic and its consequences. Just as this disease does not respect borders, our fight against it must be coordinated to be effective.

8. We must work to reduce the socio-economic impact of this pandemic on the most vulnerable sections of our society. NAM’s unique tradition of promoting South-South cooperation can provide a way out as societies look to rebuild and regenerate in the wake of this crisis.

9. This was also the key message that Prime Minister Modi conveyed to the Movement when he participated in the Online Summit of the NAM Contact Group in response to COVID-19 held in May this year. He emphasized the importance of a coordinated, inclusive and equitable response by the world to this crisis, reaffirming India’s readiness to offer assistance in solidarity with the Movement. Just a few days ago, at the General Debate of the 75th UNGA, he assured the world that India’s immense vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting the crisis.

10. This is a manifestation of the approach that will guide India as it takes up its responsibilities of non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council in 2021-22, and Presidency of the G20 in 2022: deploying our rich developmental experience for the peace and welfare of humanity, treating the world as one family.

Excellencies,

11. Unfortunately, this pandemic is not the only pressing challenge of our time. The theme of our meeting and Declaration today compels us to introspect on how NAM can more effectively counter global threats which surpass our individual capacities.

12. Terrorism and their enablers continue to spread their tentacles unabated. Misinformation and fake news are wreaking havoc on social cohesion and collective security. Climate change has become an existential threat, especially to the most vulnerable SIDS countries. Humanitarian emergencies are straining capacities. Cyber security threats and the uneven impact of frontier technologies are causing turbulence. Development concerns remain paramount for the vast majority of the world’s population.

Excellencies,

13. The strength of the NAM family lies in its diversity, its shared developmental experience, and its youthful populations brimming with hope and aspirations.

14. NAM has the potential to take the lead in addressing the primary issues of our times that demand global cooperation. When we stand together and speak in one voice, for instance in our Movement’s steadfast commitment to the cause of Palestine, we can and do have a decisive influence on global outcomes - we can be a force for good.

15. On the other hand, if we take up issues that divide rather than unite us, reducing our Movement to a platform for venting bilateral grievances or for embarrassing fellow Members, we will soon become a weak and irrelevant entity, with no say at all in global decision making.

16. Individual members must stop and think before raising issues that are not on the agenda and which find no resonance in the wider membership. NAM never was and never can be a platform for pursuits aimed at undermining the territorial integrity of a State by another State.

17. The 65th anniversary is a good time to reflect. Even as we call for effective and reformed multilateralism, we need to introspect, reform and revitalize the current arrangements of our own Movement, to enable us to pursue a focused, positive and transformative agenda going forward.

18. We live in times when more, and not less, collaborative efforts are needed. The NAM has a glorious past. However, how the future will judge us will depend on how we perform in addressing the defining challenges of our era.

Thank you.

New Delhi
October 09, 2020