Get the World on Our Terms

Context: The Chinese aggression and violence at Galwan Valley is provocation enough to revisit the principle of ‘mutual and equal security’ that guides the India China bilateral relationship.

Principle of Mutual and Equal Security

• Differences should not be allowed to turn into disputes.
• Time taken to travel and not the distance alone should be the criterion while determining how much distance troops on each side should withdraw from any point of conflict.
• Chinese ramping up of border infrastructure has gradually made this principle redundant.
• Even after applying this principle status quo, it works in China’s favor.

Wider and Strategic Response

• Optimal utilization of armed forces capacity: like air force (Rafale aircraft), Navy, Army, and it's submarine capacity.
• Increase cooperation with Indo-Pacific and strategic partners (like the US): to send out a clear signal that India is willing to widen the LoAC conflict beyond the boundary.
• China’s overall strategy since 1962: kept India confined, ‘boxed in’, and embittered by conflicts in its neighbourhood. 

• The 1963 China-Pakistan agreement (cessation of Shaksgam Valley).
• China became the principal supplier of weapons to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, besides Pakistan.
• China cultivated the militaries and political entities in India’s neighbourhood.

• India’s big power relationships as key: to break out of this mold.
• Negotiate on equal terms by building strength and creating leverage for itself.
• India must look at the LoAC conflict in a holistic manner: to counter Chinese aggression and its unwillingness to solve disputes.

Conclusion: India should proactively create military and diplomatic to avoid a 1962-like situation where it was left alone, without partners, and with no alternative, but to react to Chinese military aggression.