Contesting Neighbours

The Hindu     27th October 2020     Save    

Context: The engagement by India and China in the West Asia region is a good example of their metamorphosing approaches 

Similar foreign policy stances of India and China in relation to West Asia

  • Basing the non-alignment on an issue rather than ideology: Both India and China have developed the ethos of equitable engagement with the three poles of power in Saudi Arabia, Iran and Israel.
  • Without stepping into the entanglements of the region’s multi-layered con?icts and political ?ssures
    • Prior suggestions to construct ‘importers  Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)’: to promote interests of major oil importers against the producers’ cartel. 

    India vs China in West Asia:

    • India’s Advantages and Challenge :
        • India as an investment destination:  As the powerful and oil-rich Gulf states looked for investment alternatives away from the West
        • Stable economic progression: Despite entanglements in the Yemen war and general tensions between the Gulf states and Iran; recent Israel-UAE accord adds to it.
        • Challenge: Relationship with Iran has been strained due to US sanctions.
    • China’s Advantages: 
        • Decline of the role of the US: has led to
          • Rising military engagements United Arab Emirates (UAE) obtained Chinese Wing Loong drones in 2016.
          • Negative Peace or peace through development in Iran: China offered $400 billion to Iran after the US abandonment of Iran’s nuclear deal.
        • Presence of the market for oil: since the Gulf nations are still dependent on Petrodollar and China and India act as obvious markets.

    Conclusion: The theory of interests superseding ideology in foreign policy is fast unravelling practically, both from the perspectives of India and China.