What is the issue?
Now that the Doklam stand-off and the BRICS summit are over, it's time that India pay attention to some developing bilateral scenarios.
What all should India focus on?
- Bhutan - Though not being as strategic as for India, the unrest in Doklam was of a concern for Bhutan.
- Also, views within Bhutan are strongly demanding a “balanced foreign policy” i.e. opening of ties with China as well.
- China could exploit the situation, to influence Bhutan and gain it support.
- Thus, India should consider working on the hydropower potential of Bhutan, assisting it in its economic development, etc more firmly than before to retain the Bhutanese trust.
- China - Beijing has maintained that Doklam had been part of China since ancient times, and continues to claim its sovereignty.
- Notably, the intention for a smooth BRICS summit is also behind China's stance on ending the Dokalm stand-off.
- Also, China will not let down Pakistan while the CPEC is gaining momentum as one of the major components of the Belt and Road Initiative.
- India should beware and focus on its military preparedness to encounter a possible two-front collusive threat from China and Pakistan.
- US, Russia - India is, in recent years, getting closer to the US.
- Though being strategic, this has its own problems as this is likely to distance India from China and even Russia.
- Even groupings like the BRICS are getting to be ‘limited purpose partnership’ to achieve specific sets of outcomes rather than a common ideological convergence.
- India should take note of this, given Russia's intention to use BRICS as an organisation against the West, particularly the US and encourage the Chinese leadership.
- Japan - In the present scenario, partnership with Japan, besides the US, could be the cornerstone of a coalition to take on China’s economic and military might.
- As this could help in other larger coalitions that may include countries willing to resist Chinese dominance in the Asia-Pacific region.
What is the way forward?
- Bilateral relations are taking shape beyond bilateral relevance and starting to be determinants of international relations and internal security.
- India should pay heed to these developments and strategise on its foreign diplomacy.
Source: Indian Express
