Xi risked all with aggressive moves on India but 'unexpectedly flopped'; 'brutal purge' next: Report

Describing Xi Jinping as "architect" of PLA's recent aggressive moves against India, a leading US magazine has reported that Chinese President has risked his future with high-profile incursions into Indian territory that “unexpectedly flopped" in face of a ferocious fightback by Indian Army. Xi, 67, already roiling Communist Party with a "rectification" campaign and mass persecution of foes, will launch "ar brutal purge" following Chinese army's failures on Indian border, Newsweek said in an opinion piece.

“Unfortunately for Xi, he is "architect" of se aggressive moves into India and his People's Liberation Army (PLA) has unexpectedly flopped. Chinese army's failures on Indian border will have consequences,” it said, adding that recent developments give Xi an excuse to pick up pace of replacing adversaries in armed forces with loyal elements.

"More important, failures motivate China's aggressive ruler- who as chairman of Party's Central Military Commission, is leader of People's Liberation Army (PLA) and ruling Communist Party of China - to launch ar offensive against Indian positions,” magazine warned.

Tensions escalated manifold along LAC in eastern Ladakh after Galwan Valley clashes on June 15 in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed. Chinese side also suffered casualties but it is yet to give out details.

“China is thought to have suffered at least 43 deaths in Galwan clash,” magazine said.

Citing Cleo Paskal of Foundation for Defense of Democracies, it said number of Chinese killed could exceed 60.

"Indian troops fought back ferociously. Beijing won't admit extent of debacle,” it said.

It said that late last month, for first time in a half-century, India carried out an offensive against China, taking back high ground Chinese recently grabbed. “China's forces were surprised when Indian troops mounted ir attempt to retake strategic high points. Stunned Chinese soldiers retreated,” it said.

"China's subsequent efforts to counter Indian moves proved ineffective. At least for moment, India's troops, in sournmost of three areas of conflict, are in control of territory once in Chinese hands,” it added.

It said PLA Ground Force can move against undefended targets. However, it is t clear how effective it is in battle.

“ Ground Force does t have a track record of success in contested situations. Its last major engment was in 1979 when, in effort to ‘teach Vietnam a lesson,’ Chinese troops were repelled and humiliated by ir much smaller neighbour,” magazine ted.

“India is t giving invaders opportunity to improve,” it said, adding that India's troops are displaying “newfound boldness”.

" game has changed," Paskal said. "You can say Indians are more aggressive or more aggressively defensive, but y are in fact bolder and better." “ setback in Himalayas poses problems for Xi, which means it poses a problem for everyone else,” it added.

It said that in China's highly politicised system, setbacks in Ladakh cant be perceived as Xi's fault, so he will almost surely purge elements of military.

"PLA leaders begin to see little choice but to undertake offensive military actions to avoid becoming a victim of Xi's internal terror," said Richard Fisher of Virginia-based International Assessment and Strategy Center.

Indian Army and PLA have been locked in a tense standoff in multiple areas along LAC in eastern Ladakh since early May. Following fresh confrontation around sourn bank of Pangong lake, India furr bolstered its military presence in region by sending additional troops, battle tanks and or weaponry.

Amidst very tense situation in eastern Ladakh, India and China reached an agreement to resolve ir border row at a meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Moscow on September 10 on sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet.

agreement included measures like quick disengment of troops, avoiding action that could escalate tensions, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border manment and steps to restore peace along LAC. It also mentioned that two sides should expedite work to conclude "new confidence-building measures" to enhance peace and tranquillity in border areas. However, agreement has t mentioned any timeline for disengment of troops.