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For the first time, sections of the media, actually mentioned a Chinese link to terrorism.
"China is one nation with two systems. But does China have two heads? The PLA foments terrorists, the narcotics trade, and insurgency in other countries. The Chinese government expands commerce and talks against terrorism."—November 23, 2005
"Al Qaeda, Taliban and terrorists in Kashmir are part of one international movement serving a single purpose."—May 10, 2006
"American, European and Russian official sources draw the line in refusing to name China as the fountainhead sustaining terrorist networks in Pakistan and Afghanistan."—July 19, 2006
"Only a mastermind can coordinate diverse terrorist movements having a single aim and result. It is delusional to distinguish between separatists, revolutionaries and jehadis. They all serve the same master. Veerappan smuggled ivory through the Nellore-to-Nepal route to reach Myanmar and China. For safe passage, he paid all insurgent groups on the way."—September 20, 2006
"In China, the military did not follow the corporate world. The corporate world followed the military. PLA tentacles have spread in South Asia to control the Pakistan army, ISI and terrorists."—May 9, 2007
One may go on and on. One was accused of being obsessed with this topic. Now official agencies and sections of the media are waking up. Even this belated recognition of the danger is welcome. But how might the Indian government respond in the light of this recognition?
It is entirely possible that President Hu Jintao and President Zardari are sincere in their desire for peace. It is equally possible that neither is capable of asserting authority on their armed forces. International relations preclude personal sentiment. Both need to be told bluntly in private: "Curb your respective armies or back off." If China does not comply, boycott all trade. This will hurt China much more than it hurts India.
(Puri can be reached at rajinderpuri2000@yahoo.com)