To counter Chinese espionage activity in the border areas, India is actively scouting Mandarin language experts who can help gather information from visitors from across the border who enter the country with valid papers and then go about gathering information about troop movements and also indulge in propaganda. Security analyst Major General (Retd) G D Bakshi said that there is no perspective thinking when it comes to building resources to counter Chinese strategy in vulnerable areas. Sharing his field experience, Gen Bakshi said that when Indian troops meet Chinese soldiers during border patrols, it is the Chinese who translate for us because we don’t have language experts. “We rely on whatever they tell us, which is a strategic blunder,” said the General.
A senior Intelligence official said that of 187 monasteries in the bordering states, at least 27 have roped in Chinese language experts to provide Mandarin training to the monks and local residents. He said that recently, a group of visiting Mandarin experts from South India was offered the jobs of language experts. “They had shown interest but haven’t joined yet. The salaries of language experts are quite competitive and there are enough promotion opportunities and career growth in this field,” he said.
A local officer on the condition of anonymity said villagers in bordering areas who are trained in Chinese dialects are hired to meet the immediate Intelligence gathering demands for now. They also provide assistance at border listening posts and accompany Indian Army units on patrol. Security expert Major General (Retd) Afsir Karim said that lately, China has built a strong infrastructure in Tibet and border areas staring at Arunachal Pradesh, but India has not been paying adequate attention to its own requirements.
“Delhi’s policy is very ambiguous. Although Chinese propaganda will have an effect on Arunachal population, we still need to have in place all the resources required to prepare ourselves for any major onslaught,” he said.