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 ofphased withdrawal to move towards peace.