All stories by Claude Arpi
Why is China more and more nervous?
Rediff.com14 Apr 2021The Tibetan nation still lives under the yoke of the Chinese Communist Party, and Beijing today has a guilty conscience; this creates a great uneasiness for Xi Jinping and his colleagues observes Claude Arpi.
An Indian Dalai Lama
Rediff.com4 Mar 2021Tawang is very much a part of India, and if the present Dalai Lama decides one day to take rebirth in Tawang, the Indian government will openly welcome him and support him, notes Claude Arpi.
Chinese village in Arunachal: India must speak up!
Rediff.com21 Jan 2021'China wants to change the status quo of India's Northern Border and proves that it can do whatever it wants in what it perceives as its own territory,' states Claude Arpi.
Xi's mega projects: Should India worry?
Rediff.com14 Jan 2021After the Ladakh fiasco where Xi Jinping did not expect the Indian Army to resist his land-grabbing tactics, he has to save face before his colleagues in the Communist party.' To bring the threat of a mega-dam to the northern Indian border is a clever move, observes Claude Arpi.
How Pakistan surrendered in 1971
Rediff.com16 Dec 2020'You have been surrounded from all directions, if you want the safety of your troops and your personal safety, we will give you eight hours to make up your mind to surrender.'
Indian Army ignores Chinese propaganda
Rediff.com18 Nov 2020Today, the Ladakhis and Tibetans have been joined by the Sikhs, the Madrassis, the Garhwalis, the Rajputs, who are well trained psychologically and otherwise, to defend the nation, observes Claude Arpi.
Why is the army chief visiting Nepal?
Rediff.com4 Nov 2020Though General Naravane's visit will not deal with 'impermanent' issues like the changing stands of politicians, it will certainly reinforce the deeper 'permanent' links between the people of Nepal and India. Time will hopefully tackle the present impermanence of the Sino-Nepalese romance, notes Claude Arpi.
The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra
Rediff.com3 Nov 2020Major Somnath Sharma was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations on November 3, 1947.
How Tibet was brutally 'liberated'
Rediff.com19 Oct 2020India was fooled into believing that Communist China wanted a 'negotiated' settlement with the Tibetans; it was never the case, says Claude Arpi.
Xi unveils new vision for Tibet. Should India worry?
Rediff.com3 Sep 2020The seventh Tibet Work Forum was held in Beijing on August 28 and 29. Delhi should be deeply concerned, at a time India faces a precarious situation in Ladakh, because the TWF also defines China's western border policies, observes Claude Arpi.
China's foreign minister's mysterious visit to Tibet
Rediff.com20 Aug 2020Was Wang Yi'S visit intended to remind India of 1962, asks Claude Arpi?
1962 War: 'Secret Reports' lost forever?
Rediff.com18 Jul 2020'The Himmatsinghji Report is still 'missing'.' 'It is a great loss for the knowledge of India's borders.' 'It would have an immense value at a time China is bound to shift its attention to other border fronts in the Himalayas,' notes Claude Arpi.
He told India about the Himalayan Blunder
Rediff.com3 Jul 2020Very few today realise that without Brigadier John Dalvi's courage, we would never have known what really happened during those tragic days of October/November 1962, reveals Claude Arpi.
PLA using Tibetans against India
Rediff.com2 Jul 2020'Tibetans will participate in future conflicts with India (in all probability, some were already present in Galwan).' 'As nobody in India would like to have a deadly fight with Tibetan soldiers and officers, the issue needs to be closely followed,' observes Claude Arpi.
The Chinese generals involved in Ladakh standoff
Rediff.com13 Jun 2020General Zhao Zongqi is well known in India for having commanded the Chinese troops during the Dokalam episode. Zhao knows every inch and corner of the Indian border, at least the Eastern and Central sectors, including the Naku La area which witnessed fist-fights between Indian and Chinese troops in April/May. Claude Arpi introduces us to the PLA generals masterminding the Chinese aggression in Ladakh.
China is striking back and HOW
Rediff.com14 May 2020China has not limited the 'battle' to the diplomatic field alone; the People's Liberation Army has become aggressive on the ground too. The recent 'fights' in Northern Sikkim and Ladakh are part of the pattern, asserts Claude Arpi.
Coronavirus: What about the Lab in Wuhan?
Rediff.com12 Apr 2020Why did the Chinese military take over the lab in Wuhan in end January? Did something go wrong? Claude Arpi glances at the mystery surrounding the origin of the coronavirus.
Exclusive! How China released Indian troops after the 1962 War
Rediff.com6 Dec 2019'All PoWs recounted that one of the worst aspects of their captivity in Tibet was the constant attempt at brainwashing by Chinese Communist propaganda,' reveals Claude Arpi.
The legend who inspired 3 Idiots
Rediff.com5 Sep 2019Magsaysay Award winner Sonam Wangchuk speaks to Claude Arpi about his journey, his fights, his hopes and how he became an inspiration for the Bollywood blockbuster.
Tiananmen Square: 30 Years Later
Rediff.com4 Jun 2019Thirty years after the massacre at Tiananmen Square, coerced collective amnesia envelops the Chinese nation about that horrific event. Claude Arpi glances back at how the student uprising could have changed the Middle Kingdom forever had the Chinese Communist party not traveled on the route of martial law.