Amit Shah plays Ali more than Tyson against China: dodging, guarded, with the odd stinger

Interior Minister Amit Shah in an interview with Network18 group editor Rahul Joshi. News18

In major conflicts, the party who speaks less and quietly usually has better control. The side that resorts to bravado, makes great displays of strength, and complains loudest is usually the shaky or insecure side.

In the confrontation between India and China, China has repeatedly criticized the Indian incursions into the territory it claims, has spoken ill and issued threats, and has published videos demonstrating military might in a childish way. India has been more moderate in its statements, but stubbornly firm and aggressive in defending its position.

A fireworks signature and a departure from the stoic restraint of India from the Union Interior Minister Amit Shah was expected when he spoke to Red18 the group’s editor Rahul Joshi in an interview broadcast on Saturday.

But Shah firmly held back, leaving only pale but significant hints about India’s movements.

It could only mean one thing: India’s highest security leadership is working on a plan with a silent resolution, and it will not allow any blatant statement to spoil that. It also shows that India is fully aware of China’s immense military power and does not underestimate the enemy’s ability to surprise and overwhelm.

“We are trying to find a solution both at the military and diplomatic level. I don’t want to comment much on the issue, but I want to reiterate what Prime Minister Modi said … We are fully aware of every inch of our land on the border and no one can take it away from us, ”Shah told Joshi.

He sidestepped a question about whether it is time for India to change its policy towards Tibet and Taiwan, as China does not consider Ladakh and Arunachal to be part of India.

“I think this is not the right platform for these problems. This is a complex issue and has far-reaching repercussions. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Foreign Minister [S Jaishankar] I have already spoken about it in Parliament. It’s enough. The talks are underway and we are fully aware of our rights. We will protect our land at all costs, ”he said.

When asked if the Indian army was ready for war since Xi Jinping had ordered his forces to prepare, Shah said the confrontation would not have occurred if the Indian army had not stood firm.

Then came the biggest hint of India’s diplomatic offensive against China. When asked if India was ready to take on an alliance of two hostile nations, China and Pakistan, on both sides, Shah said it will not be easy.

“No one can take India for granted and we have a lot of international support,” he said. “China and India share a different kind of relationship with different nations.”

Indeed, India is at the heart of a growing coalition against Chinese bullying and expansionism that includes nations such as the United States, Australia, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and even the Philippines.

The only time Shah got out of the fold was when Joshi cited Congressional Leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that China had invaded 1,200 kilometers and a congressional government would have dismissed it in an instant.

“Rahul Gandhi has no data or facts. Congress has no right to speak like this because it was during his rule that China occupied our land. I want Rahul Gandhi to answer this to the public. In the war of 1962, when Rahul’s great-grandfather [Jawaharlal Nehru] It was PM, China occupied our land, ”he said.

This was Shah’s first interview after a Covid-19 fight. As he faced the creator of the pandemic, Shah looked more like Ali than Tyson. Guarded, but not without the stinger.