Sansad TV Perspective: India-China: On Same Page

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: India-China: On Same Page

Anchor: Teena Jha

Participants:

1. Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, Foreign Affairs Editor, Hindustan Times
2. Suresh K. Goel, Former Ambassador
3. Alok Bansal, Director, India Foundation

Context: The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid an unannounced visit to India taking forward several multidimensional aspects of the India-China relations. 

Overview: 

• Many inferences were drawn as an outcome of the visit by China’s Foreign Minister amid the border tensions between India and China along with attempts by Beijing to undermine New Delhi at the global level. This has left the experts on international affairs perplexed. 
• Many believe that Chinese strategic culture is based on deception.
• The Indians who are busy decoupling from China economically by emphasising the ambitious objectives of Atma Nirbharta (self-reliance) are surprised and curious to decode the real intentions behind Wang Yi’s visit.      
• During the meeting, China expressed its willingness to work jointly with India which also paved the way for a question about trusting China.
• According to the official statements, the Chinese side decided to enhance cooperation on a larger scale and strengthen BRICS. 
• However, India has firmly focused on the issue of the boundary dispute stressing the need for disengagement in eastern Ladakh. This issue has been overlooked by China for a long period and silence was retained on the same by Wang Yi.

Get a comprehensive understanding on India – China Conflict in the linked article.

What is the present status of the standoff?

• Several military and diplomatic talks were held and the two sides completed the disengagement process on the north and south banks of Pangong Tso and in the Gogra area. 
• While troops are yet to disengage in the other two areas, the de-escalation process is unlikely to be completed. 
• The standoff remains unresolved with about 50,000 troops amassed on either side of the Line of Actual Control. 

Bone of contention: Wang’s comments on Kashmir

• China’s foreign minister has made controversial statements on the Kashmir issue during his visit to Pakistan extending support to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. 
• In response, India has conveyed that matters related to Jammu & Kashmir are entirely internal affairs and are unwilling to seek external interference. 

The Sign of Positivity: 

• The visit by the Chinese Foreign Minister has exemplified Beijing’s efforts to revive its ties with India. 
• The upcoming 14th BRICS summit which will be hosted by China is envisaged to act as a potential window of opportunity to resolve the border standoff.
• Wang Yi asserted that the visit has been successful and both the countries shall cease to be a threat to each other by handling and managing their differences. 

Possible Inferences:

• The unannounced visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister has been inferred by observers as Beijing’s fear of diplomatic isolation due to its aggressive expansionist policies. 
• There are experts who call this visit China’s art of deception based on the principle of Sun Tzu such as “Ingyizha Li” which means war is a deception and the principle of Sheng-dong Ji Xi that says point to the east but attack the west. 
• China’s covert actions and agendas perfectly suit Deng Xiaoping’s dictum to hide their strengths and play for time. 
• India’s differences with the west on the issue of the Russia – Ukraine Conflict and India’s unswerving stand of not voting against Russia in the UN Security Council have been sensed by China. There is a possibility that China might look into this as an opportunity to deepen the anti-western sentiment across India catering to its own geopolitical interests. 
• As a result, there might be scope for China to diminish the strength of QUAD that involves India, the US, Japan and Australia. 
• There is an uncertainty pertaining to the extent to which the west is willing to go for India against a much more powerful China. 

Ways for India:

• It is of supreme essence that India retains its solidarity with the complete disengagement of Chinese troops in the eastern Ladakh region as a major criterion for the revival of normalcy in the India-China relationship. 
• Experts nullified the grounds of the BRICS Summit to play a role in improving the relationship between the two countries. The bilateral interests of India must be given priority over the acceptance of the invitation to the Summit. 
• It was rightly pointed out that keeping in consideration the fact that India is in a difficult situation, the QUAD grouping must be empowered as a key pillar of our foreign policy. 
• China’s red hot economy is slowing down along with another wave of the pandemic. This creates an avenue for India to offer sustainable competition to China through the route of economy. 
• In the upcoming days, it is anticipated that India’s security will depend on its effective integration within the global supply chain. This is where Atmanirbhar Bharat and schemes like the Production Linked Incentive gather momentum. 
• As India’s merchandise exports have already touched a historic $400 billion, it would be unsustainable for China to continue the conflict with India which is aspiring to become the global hub for manufacturing. 
• India’s growing economy is therefore a matter of national security and it is advised that our strategic thinking and policy efforts must remain focused on the area of economic growth.

Read more summaries of Perspective in the link.

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