Indian Unpredictability could make China rethink its Game

Context: India China face-off new ways to deter China. 

Chinese smart strategy: 

• Transgressions as a foreign policy tool: China signals its displeasure through its incremental territorial expansion to put pressure on Indian establishment. 

• Two steps forward and one step backwards: Eventually china gains one steps. 

• Greater Geopolitical strategy: It sought to push its geopolitical agenda on South China Sea by calculating the other countries relative capacity and weakness.

New Strategy:  

• Unpredictable and differently rational move: India should signal in a way (military tensions along the 3488km border) that China should feel that these are not in China’s interests either.
• Expanding canvas:  India has the capability to tilt the balance of power in East Asia in a ways that can be painful to China. 

• E.g.: An Act East policy and membership of the Quad can be used as a building block. 
• India can deploy Indian Navy east of the Malacca straits cooperation’s with other countries which have a common interest.

• Breaking the economic interdependencies: Measures like structural reforms of Indian economy, free trade with like-minded countries, and self-reliance in growth and prosperity could also be taken. 

Conclusion: To dissuade China from pursuing its successful strategy, India should become more unpredictable and differently rational.