E ver suspicious of unrest in Tibet being encouraged from across the border in India, Chinese maneuvers in this sector, among its several strategic objectives, are aimed at eventually denying India its existing land proximity to Xinjiang.

China began altering its maps since 1956 laying claims over Aksai Chin and the adjoining areas of Ladakh. When India protested, China claimed it on military reasons.



China government in its letter to government India on December 26, 1959 wrote: "This area (Aksai Chin) is the only traffic artery linking Sinkiang and western Tibet, because to its north-east lies the great Gobi of Sinkiang through which direct traffic with Tibet is practically impossible... In the later half of 1950, it was through this area that the Chinese government dispatched the first units of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to enter Tibet."

After gobbling Aksai Chin, China continued pushing its claim line further deep inside the Indian territory.

The government of India unable to defend its territory, ironically has chosen to play down the Chinese aggressions.



Khurshid's recent statement trivializing the Chinese aggression is uncannily reminiscent of Pandit Nehru calling loss of Aksai Chin a "small matter" to be settled without much difficulty.