India-China Relations

Context: China’s top diplomat to India, Ma Jia has expressed that China and India can work together towards the recovery and growth of the world economy.

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• There has been a popular opinion that China should undergo a “psychological makeover” in its approach towards India.
• In the current India-China relations, there is a disconnect between China’s desire to work with India and its actions necessitating concrete steps and a pragmatic approach for meaningful improvement in bilateral ties.
• Perception of India has been as such that China’s policy towards India is driven by dogmas such as the Middle Kingdom and unipolar Asia, with the aim of diminishing India’s influence in the region and the world.
• To counter this, China needs to acknowledge India as an indispensable power and treat it with respect, as well as take good faith measures such as resolving border disputes and not undermining India’s relationships with its South Asian neighbours.
• If otherwise, China’s actions would push India closer to the West, particularly in terms of military alliances, exacerbating China’s own security concerns.

Indo-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 tranquillity 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.

Comparing and Contrasting the Paths of Development of India and China

Areas of Cooperation

There are several 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 and People-to-People Exchanges:
  • 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

• BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa): India and China are both members of BRICS, a formal grouping of emerging economies. BRICS provides a platform for engagement between the two countries and other member states to discuss bilateral and global issues. The New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingency Reserve Arrangement (CRA) are initiatives under BRICS that aim to provide alternative lending and financial mechanisms.
• 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. India and China’s membership in the SCO allows for engagement and collaboration on regional and international affairs.
• 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. It provides an opportunity for India and China to cooperate and coordinate on various global issues.
• 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. The AIIB provides financing and support for infrastructure projects across the region, including in India and China.
• World Trade Organisation (WTO): India and China have collaborated within the WTO framework on various issues related to trade and agriculture. They have jointly submitted proposals, such as calling for the elimination of trade-distorting farm subsidies by developed countries, to promote fair trade practices.
• 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. They have emphasized the principle of climate justice for developing countries and advocated for a more equitable approach to climate action.

Challenges

• 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.

These challenges have contributed to strained relations between India and China and require diplomatic efforts and negotiations to address and resolve the disputes.

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