How will India rein in China which is getting aggressive amid the border dispute? Know what is the challenge before India

New Delhi : There seems to be no permanent solution to the ongoing border dispute with China yet. At the end of last month, no concrete result came out of the 31st meeting of the Diplomatic Working Mechanism on India-China border matters. Winter is about to come, so once again our soldiers are ready for a face-to-face clash with the Chinese army PLA on the cold peaks of the Himalayas. On the other hand, the common man believes that with the significant deployment of the army, we are able to thwart China’s nefarious intentions. However, amid the tension on the border, China is not desisting from its trickery. China is continuing to strengthen military bases in Ladakh. Apart from this, Arunachal is busy settling villages on the border. In such a situation, India faces the challenge of Pakistan as well as China.

Dragon’s move in Indian Ocean region too

Apart from the border maneuvering, China has also started several other works aimed at weakening India’s position in the Indian Ocean region. Plans like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Maritime Silk Road, promoted by Beijing as a geo-economic initiative, had created fears of ‘strategic encirclement’ in India. Although these fears were not unfounded, they were unfortunately ignored like straws in the wind. In his/her article in the Indian Express, strategic affairs expert and former Navy Chief Arun Prakash says that due to uncertainty in the neighborhood and instability around the world, India needs efficient governance skills to maintain its regional dominance.

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The article further states that as far back as 2012, the Maldives had cancelled a major airport modernisation contract with an Indian firm in favour of a Chinese company. The ‘India First’ sentiment in our neighbouring country Maldives has gradually transformed into an avowed ‘Kick India Out’ campaign over the past decade. Similarly, in August, a gross misinterpretation of popular Bangladeshi sentiment forced PM Sheikh Hasina out of power. For India, this is both a shocking and worrying situation in one of its neighbours.

Image of India in neighboring countries

The article says that India’s relations with Nepal and Sri Lanka are not that good. It raises two questions: Why is India, despite its wise and ‘vishwaguru/vishwa mitra’ image, still perceived as the ‘big brother/bully’ by its neighbours? Secondly, are we minimising the adverse impact of divisive domestic politics and unchecked provocative statements in our neighbouring capitals. Both aimed at influencing the Indian electorate? Meanwhile, the outlines of a developed India are already visible. The world’s most populous country and a nuclear-armed military power, India is set to become one of the largest economies by 2047. A technological leap could turn it into a manufacturing powerhouse. Hopefully, by 2047, prudent economic management will overcome the challenges of mass poverty and unemployment, as well as improve health care and education.

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What is India’s compulsion?

India’s nuclear-armed neighbours, China and Pakistan, are nurturing regional ambitions and frequently resorting to provocations. Even as the specter of Chinese military and technological dominance looms, a much bigger economic and strategic vulnerability lies in our growing trade deficit (currently, $85 billion). India’s growing dependence on imports of electronics, machinery, pharmaceuticals and other commodities is significantly limiting its strategic engagement with China. Second, our continued dependence on defence imports is a serious constraint on our cherished ‘strategic autonomy’ as well as military capabilities.

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New strategic partnership will tighten the noose

Strategic alliances are an important form of statecraft that can significantly strengthen national security. India needs insurance against hegemony and dominance, to boost its economy and bridge technological gaps, as well as to create space to enhance its military capabilities. As it prepares to fight its battles, India needs to seek external balancing. If realpolitik demands, it will have to break with old rules and assumptions. It will have to forge new partnerships while keeping national interest paramount.