India-China Relations

Table of Contents

Context: India criticized China for issuing “stapled visas” to some sportspersons hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, and described the move as “unacceptable”.

Evolution of India-China Ties

The evolution of India-China relations has been complex and has gone through various phases since their independence.

Early Years (1950s-1960s):
- After India’s independence in 1947, the leaders of both India and China, Jawaharlal Nehru and Mao Zedong, envisioned a close friendship based on shared historical and anti-colonial sentiments.
- In 1950, India recognized the People’s Republic of China and established diplomatic relations.
- The two countries signed the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954, emphasizing peaceful coexistence and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
- However, border disputes over the region of Tibet escalated tensions, leading to the Sino-Indian War in 1962, which China won decisively.
Strategic Distance (1970s-1980s):
- After the war, India and China had minimal diplomatic and trade relations, and mistrust prevailed.
- India’s growing proximity with the Soviet Union and China’s rivalry with the USSR further strained the relationship.
- In 1978, Deng Xiaoping’s economic reforms in China initiated a period of economic growth and openness, paving the way for improved relations.
Efforts for Normalization (1980s):
- In the 1980s, both countries sought to normalize relations through diplomatic engagement and confidence-building measures.
- In 1988, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited China, marking a significant step in improving ties.
- The two sides signed agreements to maintain peace and tranquility along the disputed border, leading to the establishment of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) in 2012.
Post-Cold War Era (1990s onwards):
- With the end of the Cold War, both India and China aimed to develop a more cooperative relationship.
- Economic engagement became a central pillar of their engagement, with trade and investment increasing significantly.
- In 2003, the two countries agreed on the formation of the Special Representatives mechanism to address the boundary question.
- However, border disputes, particularly over the regions of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh, persisted and occasionally led to military standoffs.
Recent Developments: In recent years, India-China relations have faced significant challenges.
- The Doklam standoff in 2017, where Indian and Chinese troops faced off in the disputed Doklam plateau, strained ties.
- The deadliest clash in decades occurred in June 2020 in the Galwan Valley, resulting in casualties on both sides.

Areas of Cooperation between India and China

Political Cooperation	Establishment of Diplomatic Relations: India became the first non-socialist bloc country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1950. High-Level Visits: Exchange of visits by top leaders, such as Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s visit in 1988 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits in 2014, 2015, and 2018, have contributed to improving bilateral relations. Dialogue Mechanisms: Both countries have established various dialogue mechanisms at different levels to discuss political, economic, consular, and regional issues.
Economic Cooperation	Bilateral Trade: Bilateral trade between India and China has grown significantly, reaching US$100 billion by 2022. Both countries have expanded economic ties, with India becoming one of the largest markets for “project exports” from China. Investments: Chinese investments in India and Indian investments in China have been increasing, particularly in sectors like IT, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles. Economic Potential: With a combined market of over 2.7 billion people and a GDP representing 20% of the world’s total, there is immense potential for further economic cooperation between India and China.
Science and Technology Cooperation	Joint Research Workshops: Both countries have organized joint research workshops to foster collaboration and innovation in the field of science and technology. IT Corridors: Indian companies have established IT corridors in China, promoting cooperation in information technology and high-tech sectors.
	Cultural Exchanges: India and China have a long history of cultural exchanges dating back centuries. Cultural events, performances, and agreements to establish institutions like the Yoga College in China reflect the cultural cooperation between the two countries. Educational Cooperation: The education sector has witnessed cooperation, with an increasing number of Indian students studying in Chinese universities and Chinese students studying in Indian educational institutions. People-to-People Exchanges: Mechanisms like the China-India High-Level People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges Mechanism facilitate exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including art, media, sports, tourism, traditional medicine, and think tanks. Defence Cooperation: While defence cooperation remains relatively low, joint military exercises like ‘Hand in Hand’ have been conducted to enhance mutual understanding and counterterrorism capabilities.
Multilateral Cooperation	India and China are part of several multilateral forums such as: BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa): India and China are both members of BRICS, a formal grouping of emerging economies. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): Both India and China became members of the SCO in 2017. The SCO focuses on security, geopolitics, and economic cooperation among its member states. Russia-India-China Trilateral (RIC): The RIC platform brings together Russia, India, and China to facilitate common positions on global challenges, discuss radical ideas, counter terrorism threats, and address issues related to Afghanistan and West Asia. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): Both India and China are founding members of the AIIB, a multilateral development bank that aims to address infrastructure needs in Asia. World Trade Organisation (WTO): India and China have collaborated within the WTO framework on various issues related to trade and agriculture. BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, China): The BASIC countries, including India and China, have come together to address environmental issues, particularly in the context of climate change.

Several Challenges in India-China Ties

Border Disputes:
- Western Sector: The Aksai Chin region is a territorial dispute where both countries claim it as part of their own territory.
- Middle Sector: China stakes claim over an area in Uttarakhand, creating a border dispute.
- Eastern Sector: The McMahon Line, the boundary between India and Tibet, is disputed by China.
- Johnson Line vs. McDonald Line: India and China hold different positions on the demarcation of the border.
String of Pearls: China’s strategic presence and infrastructure development in various countries surrounding India, such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, raise concerns about encirclement.
Water Dispute: China’s construction of dams in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River (Tsangpo) without a formal water-sharing treaty poses a threat to India, leading to concerns over water availability and flooding.
Dalai Lama and Tibet: China accuses India of fomenting trouble in Tibet due to the presence of the Dalai Lama and protests staged by Tibetans against China in India and other countries.
Arunachal Pradesh and Stapled Visa: China issuing stapled visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh questions India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Bhutan and Nepal: China criticizes India’s role and relationship with Bhutan and Nepal, attempting to influence their ties and play the “China card” against India.
Belt and Road Initiative: India opposes China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Indian territory claimed by Pakistan.
China-Pakistan Nexus: China’s support to Pakistan in military, nuclear, and missile capabilities, along with blocking India’s efforts at the UN, creates concerns for India’s security.
Indian Ocean Region: China’s increasing presence, including military outposts, port acquisitions, and economic influence in countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, raises concerns for India’s traditional influence in the region.
South China Sea: China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, contested by neighboring countries, pose concerns for freedom of navigation and stability in the region, which affects India’s strategic interests.
Doklam Standoff: The Doklam/Doka La region dispute between China and Bhutan, with India’s military and diplomatic support to Bhutan, has led to tensions in the area.
Galwan Valley Standoff: The deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley, resulting in casualties, highlights the ongoing border tensions and the need for de-escalation efforts.

Conclusion: The problem in India-China relations is the lack mutual awareness, understanding, and trust. The future of Sino-Indian relations lies in the cooperative working with each other. Under the present circumstances, India-China relations have acquired strategic importance in a world of uncertainty. The way forward for them is to approach the problem pragmatically and positively, with cooperation and mutual understanding.