Lecturette Topics Preparation – India-China Relations
India-China Relations
The intricate connection between India and China recognized as two of the globe’s most densely populated and influential nations, has captivated worldwide attention for an extended period. Encompassing a chronicle of diplomatic interactions, economic bonds, and territorial disagreements, the association between India-China relations is a multifaceted fabric of collaboration, rivalry, and calculated manoeuvres. As the global equilibrium of power remains in flux, it becomes imperative to comprehend the subtleties of this intricate connection.
India and China constitute two undeniable titans in Asia, and the current century is anticipated to be shaped by their influence as the prominence of the United States wanes. Consequently, the global geopolitical layout is poised to undergo a substantial transformation. Regrettably, instead of adopting a collaborative stance, China tends to assert its dominance over neighbouring nations, with which it shares numerous disputes. For India, which envisions itself as an emerging superpower, mastering the art of coexisting with an assertive China stands as one of its most formidable foreign policy trials.
The inception of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) dates back to October 1, 1949, and India held the distinction of being the premier non-communist nation to establish diplomatic representation in the PRC. Diplomatic ties between India and China were formally established on April 1, 1950. Additionally, in 1954, the two nations jointly formulated the Panchsheel, a set of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
Background of India-China Relations
- In June 1954, Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai visited India, and in October 1954, Prime Minister Nehru returned the visit by going to China. Premier Zhou Enlai came to India again in January 1957 and then in April 1960.
- A serious problem emerged between India-China Relations when a conflict called the Sino-Indian conflict happened in October 1962. But in August 1976, both countries decided to have ambassadors again, which improved India-China relations.
- In February 1979, things got better when the then External Affairs Minister, A.B. Vajpayee, visited, reviving high-level political communication.
- China sent its Foreign Minister Huang Hua to visit India in June 1981. Later in 1988, the then Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi went to China in December. They both agreed during this visit to make their relationship stronger in all areas. They also decided to create groups to work together on border issues and economic matters.
- China’s Premier Li Peng came to India in December 1991. India’s Prime Minister Narasimha Rao visited China in September 1993. During Rao’s visit, they signed an agreement about keeping peace and calm along the border. This meant they would keep things as they were on the border, figure out where they were not sure about the border, and do some things to build trust.
- India’s President R. Venkataraman went to China in May 1992. This was the first time a high-level leader from India visited China.
- China’s President Jiang Zemin visited India in November 1996, and this was the first time a top leader from China came to India. During his visit, they signed four agreements, one of which was about making the military field near the border more peaceful. They wanted their military to talk more, cooperate, and trust each other.
- India and China have different ways they enhance and strengthen their political relationship. They have groups of people who think about strategy and foreign policy, and these groups regularly talk to each other.
India-China War – 1962
- The main reason for the war was the border dispute in the Himalayas. China said it owned the Aksai Chin area in Ladakh, Kashmir, and the Tawang area in Arunachal Pradesh (Aksai Chin as part of its Xinjiang and Tawang as part of Tibet).
- Aksai Chin is a high desert with salt flats, about 5000 meters above the sea. The fighting happened in the eastern part, of Arunachal Pradesh, which is a mountainous area with peaks over 7000 meters high. So, the war was fought in tough conditions with difficult terrain and very cold weather. Many soldiers died because of these hard conditions.
- After India became independent, it had a friendly relationship with its northern neighbour, which shares a long history and cultural connections with India.
- In 1954, India and China agreed on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence called Panchsheel. India even supported China internationally. However, things got worse when China took control of Tibet. India suggested talking about Tibet. When Tibetans revolted in 1959, India offered shelter to the Dalai Lama, which made China angry. China saw India as a threat to its control over Tibet, which played a big part in the war. China’s leader Mao Zedong even blamed Indians for the unrest in Lhasa, Tibet.
- In 1960, China’s Premier Zhou Enlai proposed that if India gave up its claim over Aksai Chin, China would let go of its claim over Arunachal Pradesh (then called the North Eastern Frontier Agency). But India’s Prime Minister Nehru said no, and he denied China’s claims over both areas.
- During the summer of 1962, there were small fights along the border areas between soldiers of both countries.
- India started a ‘Forward Policy’ and sent troops and patrols to disputed areas along the border. Some of these troops even went beyond India’s borders. This made India-China relations even worse.
- India’s leaders didn’t believe China would attack, and India’s army was not ready for a big war. Chinese soldiers outnumbered Indian soldiers by a lot. India didn’t plan well before sending troops to disputed areas.
- In the month-long fighting on both the western and eastern fronts, almost 3,000 Indian soldiers were killed, and about 1000 were injured. India asked for help from the superpowers USA and USSR, but they didn’t help.
- Neither China nor India used their navy or air force in the war.
- China declared a stop to the fighting on November 21 when it reached its claimed lines. China also said that from December 1, 1962, Chinese soldiers would move back 20 km from the Line of Actual Control.
- After the war, India helped more Tibetan refugees and activists.
- The loss in the war caused Defense Minister V K Krishna Menon to resign. He was blamed for not preparing the army well.
- Another result of the defeat was that India improved its armed forces and became more ready for future conflicts. It also taught the leaders to be more careful about national security.
Recent Tensions in India-China Relations
- Army Chief General Manoj Naravane assessed the situation and declared that more actions would be taken to reduce tensions. He called for both armies to show restraint.
- A significant event took place in the standoff between India and China in Ladakh on the night of June 15, 2020. During a violent confrontation with Chinese troops in the Galwan region of Eastern Ladakh, one Commanding Officer and two Indian soldiers lost their lives. These were the first combat casualties on the disputed border since 1975. In total, 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives in these clashes. The Indian Army responded strongly to the Chinese Army, and according to various reports in the Indian media, the Chinese Army also suffered significant casualties.
- After senior officers from both Indian and Chinese forces held discussions, the Chinese army agreed on June 9, 2020, to move about 2-2.5 km away from the disputed area. The Indian army also agreed to disengage in some locations. Further talks for de-escalation were planned in the following days.
- During the early weeks of June 2020, a considerable number of troops were gathered on both sides of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), with both Indian and Chinese forces showing equal strength.
- On May 10, 2020, there was a clash between Chinese and Indian soldiers in Nathu La, Sikkim (India), resulting in injuries to 11 soldiers. After this incident in Sikkim, tensions escalated in Ladakh as both countries increased their troop presence at multiple points.
Lecturette Topics Preparation – India-China Relations
India’s response to the recent India-China Clashes
Economic Aspect:
- The government has blocked 59 mobile applications of Chinese origin, citing emerging security concerns.
- While the border tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted India’s economic reliance on China, the trade deficit with China decreased to $48.66 billion in 2019-20 due to reduced imports. In comparison, it was $53.56 billion in 2018-19 and $63 billion in 2017-18.
- However, India remains dependent on Chinese products in critical sectors like pharmaceutical ingredients, semiconductors, and the telecom sector. Chinese vendors are involved not only in India’s 4G network but also in ongoing 5G trials.
Military Perspective:
- India has deployed additional divisions, tanks, and artillery along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to match the Chinese deployments.
- Additionally, India has given approval for purchasing 33 Russian fighter jets and upgrading 59 warplanes, with a cost of Rs. 18,148 crore.
Foreign Investment:
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China into India decreased to $163.78 million in 2019-20 from $229 million in 2018-19.
- Starting in April 2020, the Indian government tightened FDI regulations for countries sharing land borders with India, making government approval mandatory. More details about Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) can be found on the linked page.
India and China in BRICS and SCO: A Collaborative Outlook
The international platforms of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) witness the active involvement of India and China, two major Asian powers. Within these forums, the countries forge a distinct relationship characterized by collaboration, coordination, and dialogue on global issues. This piece delves into the roles of India and China in BRICS and SCO, highlighting their shared objectives, areas of synergy, and potential challenges.
BRICS
Common Goals: Formed in 2006, BRICS functions as a forum for emerging economies to address mutual concerns, foster economic cooperation, and advocate for multipolar global governance. India and China, owing to their substantial economic growth and regional prominence, play pivotal roles within this coalition.
Areas of Alignment:
- Economic Synergy: As rapidly growing economies, India and China contribute actively to BRICS discussions on global economic reforms, trade, and investments. They also work collectively towards reforming international financial institutions for fairer representation of developing nations.
- Global Multilateralism: Both nations share a commitment to reshaping global governance structures into a more equitable, multipolar model. Their common aim is to create a more balanced international order that respects the sovereignty of all nations.
- Innovation and Technology: Recognizing the transformative power of technological innovation, India and China cooperate within BRICS in domains such as the digital economy, clean energy, and advancements in science and technology.
Challenges and Discrepancies: While collaboration is evident, differences in economic models, political systems, and regional priorities might occasionally result in divergent approaches within the BRICS framework. Additionally, the underlying geopolitical competition between India and China may indirectly influence discussions.
Lecturette Topics Preparation – India-China Relations
SCO
Shared Objectives: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, established in 2001, primarily aims to promote regional security, stability, and cooperation among its member nations. India and China, alongside Russia and Central Asian countries, contribute significantly to the SCO’s endeavours.
Areas of Synchronization:
- Regional Security and Antiterrorism: Within the SCO, India and China cooperate closely to tackle regional security challenges, counteract terrorism, and address extremist activities. The stability of the Central Asian region is of mutual interest to both due to shared concerns over terrorism and separatism.
- Economic Linkages: Discussions on economic connectivity, trade, and infrastructure development are facilitated by the SCO. India’s initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor align with the organization’s objective of bolstering regional trade ties.
- Cultural and People-to-People Bonds: Cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts encouraged by the SCO contribute to enhancing understanding between India and China, bridging historical gaps.
Challenges and Prospects: The ongoing boundary disputes occasionally cast a shadow on India-China interactions within the SCO. However, the platform provides an avenue for diplomatic conversations and collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring regional stability.
In Conclusion: As active participants in BRICS and SCO, India and China wield significant influence over the agendas and outcomes of these international forums. While their engagement is marked by areas of collaboration and common objectives, the intricacies arising from differing viewpoints, historical factors, and geopolitical considerations are not to be underestimated. The success of their collaboration hinges on their ability to adeptly navigate these complexities while jointly addressing global challenges and nurturing mutual understanding.
The connection between India and China involves their history, the challenges they face today, and opportunities for the future. Even though they sometimes disagree on land and power, both countries understand how important it is to talk and work together on global problems. As the world changes, how India and China get along will depend on how well they handle their differences and find ways to help each other and the whole world.
Hope this article has helped you understand the complex India-China Relations. these points may help you in GD, Lecturette as well as in your personal interview.