NEW DELHI, Dec 9 - Though the relation between India and China improved considerably after the Doklam face-off was settled amicably, in recent times, the Chinese agencies are taking keen interest on the situation in the Northeast arising out of militancy in the region.
Highly placed sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told The Assam Tribune here that the Indian security agencies have definite information of Chinese agencies taking keen interest on the progress of talks with the rebel groups of Nagaland. �The peace talks with the rebel groups of Nagaland should not be any cause of concern for China. But the Chinese agencies are taking keen interest on the progress of the talks and the possibility of the agents of such agencies trying to create hurdles in the way of talks cannot be ruled out,� sources added.
Sources said that though the Naga civil society is putting pressure on the NSCN(K) to rejoin the peace process in the interest of lasting peace in Nagaland, it is doubtful whether the outfit, which is part of the umbrella body of the Northeast rebel groups having bases in Myanmar, would be able to join the talks as the Chinese influence over the rebels of the region is a well known fact. If the NSCN(K) joins the peace process, it will be difficult for the other rebel groups of the Northeast to survive in Myanmar as most of them are using the facilities of the Naga outfit in the neighbouring country and China will never like such a situation, sources pointed out.
MHA sources pointed out that China would never want the situation in the northeastern region of India to stabilise and that is why, for years, the Chinese agencies are providing direct or indirect help to the militant groups of the region. China had also encouraged the militant groups of the Northeast to come to a common platform. Some statements issued by the militant groups of the Northeast to oppose the last visit of the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh were also dictated by the Chinese agencies. �We have reasons to believe that one such statement was even drafted by the Chinese,� sources added.
The Indian security agencies have definite information that in recent times, the frequency of meetings between the insurgent groups of the Northeast and Chinese agencies has increased, which is a matter of concern for the Government of India.
On the overall India-China relations, sources said that the ties �stabilized� after the Doklam face-off was settled amicably. �Both India and China cannot afford to go for a war at this point of time and even during the Doklam face-off, the trade and cultural ties between the two countries were not affected. But it is a fact that the Chinese will continue to nibble at us and the Government of India must be prepared to deal with that,� sources added.
Sources also pointed out that after facing problems from terrorists in its Xinjiang province, China was forced to sign an agreement with India for countering terrorism and a joint task force for countering terrorism was formed. The task force has started operating and the Government of India has provided information to China on the whereabouts of some leaders of the militant groups of the Northeast, who are staying in Yunnan province of that country. But so far, no action has been taken against them by the Chinese government.
