Dealing With The Bigger Neighbour, China

Context: Bellicosity seems the signature element of China’s approach to India, due to which the future of their relations remains uncertain and problematic.

India-China relations: Positive aspects

• Continues talks to resolve the underlying issues: Leaders practised bucolic, informal summitry. 
• Development of relations: including trade and economic ties, people-to-people interaction etc.
• Peace and tranquillity in the border areas: through various agreements over time -  
  • Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China Border Areas (1993).
  • Confidence-Building Measures(CBMs) in the Military Field along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China Border Areas (1996).
  • Modalities for the Implementation of Confidence Building Measures in the Military Field along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China Border Areas (2005).
  • Establishment of a Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (2012).
  • Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Border Defence Cooperation (2013).

Concerns in India-China relations:

• Contending Nationalisms.
• Rise of China in new global power equations.
• Armed confrontation replaced peaceful coexistence: due to the growing gulf (event like Galwan)
• Chinese approach towards India: Bellicosity as a key element of China’s approach.
• Issues with Confidence Building Mesures (CBMs):
  • China, as the bigger power, has never signalled willingness to make asymmetric or unilateral concessions to India. (the way the Soviet Union offered).
  • Lack of mutual trust and political commitments: the early Agreement with China were not nurtured.
  • No Boundary Settlement reached: accompanied these CBMs to sustain and strengthen their operation.