17/06/2020 - International Relations

KEY POINTS

·         It has historically been a difficult topic to address — the 1962 Indo-China War, India’s dubious record in terms of the origins of the conflict, and its disastrous performance during the war itself (the bravery of our unsupported, ill-equipped jawans notwithstanding).

·         The Chinese relationship with global institutions, values and norms was purely one of convenience, transaction, relative power and pragmatic calculation. The Chinese are entirely unaffected, and unfettered, by the underlying “norms, values and ethics” that Western societies, and West-authored global institutions are supposed to be based upon and are expressing.

·         Between Doklam, a few years ago, and the current volatility at the LAC with China, it is important to understand these situations as part of a broader picture about global politics, the reality of China’s capacities and broad spectrum tactical options, and India’s own strategic goals and capabilities and options.

·         The military-technological balance between India and China is vast and rapidly growing. China outproduces, out-innovates and out-strategises India on a daily basis.

·         Consider the state of China’s preparedness on the Tibetan Plateau, and the lateness of India’s establishment of a Mountain Strike Corps.

·         Consider the “pearl of threats” that China has tried to place around India’s neck through relationship building everywhere from Bangladesh (extensive financing) to Sri Lanka (100 year lease of a naval base) to Pakistan ($60 billion sovereignty transfer) and even the Maldives. Consider the size and sophistication of China’s nuclear arsenal and its missile defence technologies.

·         What this means for India is the following: India must first and foremost develop a long-term, coherent national strategy which is realistically achievable within the country’s material and technological constraints.

·         Once such a strategy is in place, India must move boldly and dynamically to secure a network of global alliances — economic, technical and military-strategic, which work for mutual defence.

·         India must focus on maximising its ability to partner with ideologically similar nations like the United States, Western Europe and the ANZAC countries on technology transfer and the development of Indian innovation infrastructure.

·         India must decisively and comprehensively plan and build its local and global supply chains.

sir pls review

Please review

Please review sir 

China’s rise poses a strategic challenge to India on multiple fronts. Foremostly, for any state, security has to be the pre-eminent concern because without it no other national objectives can be pursued, including economic development.

       China is a direct military threat to India, particularly in light of the two countries’ border disputes. The current volatility between the two is at the LAC- Galwan valley and Pangong lake in Ladakh.

>>> CHALLENGES POSED BY CHINA’S RISE -the BoP between India and China, which is not favorable to India :

- Beijing’s influence in international organizations like UN, hamper Indian interests and goals in multilateral forums, especially when it comes to reforming these institutions and giving India a greater voice in global affairs.

- China’s alignment with Pakistan and deepening relations with other South Asian countries represents a significant challenge to India’s position and undermine India in its own backyard.

- China’s rising economic power allows it to spread its influence around the world, which could be used to India’s detriment.

>>>INDIA’S POTENTIAL POLICY RESPONSES -a long term plan to deal with China :

- Military power : It is a form of insurance that cannot be ignored. Building sufficient military capabilities could conceivably allow India to deter China from using force against it or, if deterrence were to fail, to defend itself. 

- Partnership : In addition to military strength, India also needs partnership with ideologically similar nations like the US, Western Europe and the ANZAC countries, who can help balance against China and possibly help India enhance its own capabilities. This is because China is far wealthier and militarily stronger than India.

- Multilateral Diplomacy : India could potentially use multilateral institutions such as the UN- to conceivably partner with Beijing in order to give China an incentive to be more accommodating of India’s interests.

- International economic cooperation and trade :  are useful tools for growing the Indian economy, generating greater wealth, and developing India’s technological strength - which are essential building blocks of military power and greater international influence, both of which are necessary for meeting the challenge China poses.