Resetting Indian Diplomacy

What is the issue?

Since June 2020, when China grabbed parcels of India’s Ladakh territory, India’s focus has shifted from Pakistan to China.
Indian diplomacy needs a global reset.

What is the current situation?

It’s now clear that the Chinese are not planning to budge.
Both the armies will have to dig in for the long-haul, eye-balling each other through the freezing Ladakh winter.
Simultaneously, it’s become obvious India isn’t able to hurt China in any meaningful economic way with sanctions like banning apps.
The Chinese are so deeply entrenched in our economy that it is virtually impossible to remove them root and branch.

What is India trying to do?

Indian policymakers are veering round to the view the only way to strike at China is via the sea route.
That’s why they are looking at building up bases in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
These islands are close to the Malacca Straits through which most Chinese oil passes.
The Chinese have already built a string of bases in the Indian Ocean in places like Djibouti and Gwadar, Pakistan.
But India’s trump card is India’s Malacca Straits proximity.

How should India make its moves?

Keeping the Chinese in mind, India needs to make other further calculated diplomatic moves, both with neighbours and global powers.
Of late, the Indian administration has visibly tilted towards the US.
It has invested heavily in Donald Trump.
There are many foreign policy examples to show putting all your money on one horse can land you with a big hole in your diplomatic pocket.

What is the shift in geopolitics?

In the middle distance and the Indian neighbourhood, transformational changes are happening, requiring nimble action.
Middle East - The Saudis and the UAE are keen to build ties with India, one of the world’s largest oil buyers in a Covid-hit market.
Perhaps this is why Saudi ties with Pakistan have frayed.
As a result, Pakistan’s leaning even more heavily on China.
China is also moving closer to Iran, a country with which India has historically enjoyed warm ties.
Bangladesh - India is keen to rebuild relations with Bangladesh.
In July 2020, the first transhipment of goods destined for India’s north-east from Haldia to Chittagong took place.
India has strengthened inland waterways agreements with Bangladesh.
It has also gifted some locomotives and is building a power plant there.

What should India do further?

India needs to mend ties with Nepal as well which has come under strong Chinese influence.
India is in a critical battle for power in its neighbourhood with an extremely powerful rival.
So, it should be careful with each step.

Source: Business Line