An India-China reset needs bold and new thinking

/ Editorials, English /

An India-China reset needs bold and new thinking

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page 12)

GS 2: India and its neighborhood- relations

Context

  • Cynics who argue that realpolitik—focused solely on power and self-interest—should dominate India-China relations risk reducing the discourse to mere rivalry. While national security and strategic interests are important, dismissing idealism—centered on dialogue, mutual respect, and long-term peace—overlooks the potential for cooperation.
  • India and China share common challenges and opportunities, and idealism can create space for collaboration, moving beyond a cycle of mistrust. The India-China discourse should be driven by both pragmatism and aspirational values, fostering stability and long-term growth, not just short-term power plays.

Introduction

  • Leadership Maturity: Effective leaders resolve disputes peacefully.
  • Successful De-escalation: Modi and Xi have shown maturity by easing tensions after the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020 through dialogue.

Pursuing Cooperation Over Hostility

  • Strategic Choice: Will Modi and Xi choose to foster cooperation or let mutual distrust hinder relations?
  • Risks of Rivalry: Increased rivalry could lead to military clashes and destabilize the Line of Actual Control.
  • Global Impact: Hostility would worsen global challenges, while cooperation could promote global stability and mutual benefits.

Building Trust: China’s Role

  1. Ensure National Security: China must reassure India that it doesn’t pose a threat, whether independently or alongside Pakistan.
  2. Condemn Terrorism: Clear condemnation of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is essential to improve perceptions in India.
  3. Avoid Containment: China should not act in ways that suggest it seeks to contain India’s rise.
  4. Support for UN Membership: Advocacy for India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council would show respect and equality.
  5. Acknowledge Multipolarity: China must recognize India’s equal status in a multipolar world.

Building Trust: India’s Role

  1. Rethink Power Dynamics: India should avoid seeing itself as less powerful than China and refrain from overly aligning with the U.S.
  2. Adhere to One China Policy: Maintain the One China policy and avoid actions perceived as supporting Taiwan or Tibet.
  3. Change Media Narratives: Don’t let Western anti-China attitudes shape Indian public opinion; Chinese media typically shows less hostility toward India.

Historical Context

  • Shared Civilization: India and China have a long history that doesn’t necessitate rivalry.
  • Promote Higher Ideals: Their civilizations should focus on peace, global development, and environmental sustainability.

Trust-Building Opportunities

  • Economic Partnership: As the second and soon third-largest economies, they can benefit from mutual growth.
  • Market Opportunities: India’s growing market can help China, while China’s technological advancements can aid India’s development.

Global South Cooperation

  • Collaboration for Development: Both nations can cooperate to support developing countries and improve global governance.
  • Address Global Conflicts: Work together to address international issues like the Ukraine war and regional strife in Myanmar.

Addressing Common Challenges

  • Youth Opportunities: Both countries face youth unemployment challenges.
  • BCIM Corridor: Revisit the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Corridor to enhance prosperity in India’s northeastern states.

Five Low-Hanging Fruits

  1. Restart Direct Flights: Bring back flights that were suspended during COVID-19.
  2. Increase Visa Issuance: India should issue more visas to Chinese nationals, as China has done for Indians.
  3. Facilitate Journalist Exchanges: Reverse the exit decisions for journalists from both countries.
  4. Lift App Bans: Reconsider the bans on Chinese apps like WeChat.
  5. Boost Trade and Investment: Increase trade by reducing the trade deficit and encouraging Indian exports to China.

Conclusion

  • Addressing Trade Imbalances: Seek more foreign direct investment from China.
  • Potential for 2025: 2025 could be a breakthrough year for cooperation, potentially marked by visits from Modi to China or Xi to India.