Shedding old inhibitions

The Tribune     25th June 2020     Save    
QEP Pocket Notes

Context: India must reach out in the region to further own interests by shedding old inhibitions in dealing with China.

Tensions in Indo- China relations:

  • Unresolved borders: There have been violent exchanges in the past between two armies.
  • India had a military presence in the Galwan valley, which was overrun during the Sino-Indian conflict of 1962. 
  • After partition, Pakistan illegally ceded the Shaksgam valley in J&K to China in 1963. 
  • Unease with Indian infrastructure projects: in the northern border areas along the LAC.
  • China’s concern: India’s presence in the Daulat Beg Oldie through the building of roads and airport infrastructure.
  • The region is also sensitive due to the restive Xinjiang region, where China has kept millions of Muslims in custody today.
  • Trade imbalance with China: $54 billion especially in the electronics sector.
  • Chinese companies assemble 70% of Indian mobile telephones. 
  • China is trying to dominate 5G services in India through its Huawei conglomerate. 
  • Entire technical management is in the hands of the Chinese with no technology transfer.

WAY FORWARD:

  • Security partnerships: India needs to forge security partnerships with countries in its Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean neighbourhood. 
  • Need to respond positively to requests from Vietnam, with the supply of weapon systems to counter Chinese maritime threats. 
  • It should expand military cooperation with friendly regional countries. 
  • Comprehensively restructure: of economic relationship with China by looking for better alternatives like Taiwan.
  • Indian companies can sign agreements for large projects in areas like computers, communications, and other electronics industries with companies in Taiwan. 
  • Verifiable disengagement: Tripartite meetings with Russia has stressed over the importance of peace and cooperation; Focus on the process of phased withdrawal to move towards peace. 
QEP Pocket Notes