Task after Galwan

Context: Though there are sign of disengagement at Galwan but India’s broader strategic challenge remains

Reason for China’s expansionism:  

• “Chinese global dream and national glory”: President Xi Jinping is aiming to create for himself “the greatest legacy’’ greater than Mao’s.  
• Beijing’s economic model: The Chinese growth model needed to find subservient emerging markets where it can park huge debts and make investments to keep feeding its high growth rates. 

Instances of expansionistic tendencies:

• Expansion of BRI: Since Doklam, China has expanded its global footprint by signing on about 100 countries to the BRI.
• Growing assertiveness: It has made aggressive moves on most of its non-submissive neighbours from Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines in the South China Sea to India, from its traditional rivals like Japan and Taiwan to independent-minded nations like South Korea and Australia.

Challenge before India: 

• Lack vision: Our foreign policy have certain shortcomings about China policy. Delhi so far has been “hedging” its interests globally.
• Chinese growing footprint in neighbouring nations: 
• Pakistan has practically become a minion state for the Chinese. 
• Nepal is no longer on our list of all-weather friends, 
• Chinese influence is growing in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh both signatories to the BRI.

Strategy India should adopt: A nation’s self-respect is as non-negotiable as its territorial integrity.

• Pragmatic move:This path will require conviction and exercising a range of military, diplomatic and economic options based not just on emotions but on the cold calculus of relative strengths. Banning Chinese apps are welcome but can only be considered the first baby steps.
• Determined leadership: 

• India should now propose the expansion of the Quad’s scope with a possible exploration of a collective defence architecture clause like Clause 5 of NATO, where an attack on one of the members is considered an attack on all. 
• The membership of the Quad should be expanded. Vietnam is already keen to join. 

• On the economic front : India must welcome the US proposal to expand G7 to include India, Russia, Australia and South Korea without China as a member.
• Fixing relationship with Neighbour: Effort must be made to regain the relationship with Russia and with our Neighbour. 

Conclusion: The Dragon must know that the Elephant may take its time to turn but if it does, it is for good.