Even though Beijing has traditionally been seen as a rival to India, India cannot discount the fact that a deeper economic and strategic relationship with China is a must in order for it to realise its domestic economic interests and geopolitical vision
Sino-Indian relations have become increasingly significant and produced widespread implications. This was evident as Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India and China are bound by history, connected by culture, and inspired by rich traditions on the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India. Modi tweeted, “If I have to describe potential of India-China ties I will say — INCH (India & China) towards MIlES (Millennium of Exceptional Synergy)!”
During Modi’s recent visit to Japan, the topic of China loomed large as every statement and agreement made in Japan could be interpreted through the prism of India’s relations with China. For example, Prime Minister Modi said that “everywhere around us, we see an 18th century expansionist mindset: encroaching on another country, intruding in others’ waters, invading other countries and capturing territory.”
Even though Beijing has traditionally been seen as a rival to India, India cannot discount the fact that a deeper economic and strategic relationship with China is a must in order for it to realise its domestic economic interests and geopolitical vision.
Xi’s recent visit to India saw agreements on two Chinese industrial parks in India and a commitment to realise about $20 billion of Chinese investments in the next five years. These steps are seen as an attempt by Modi to revive the economy and breathe life into a moribund manufacturing sector. Indeed, it heralds a new chapter in the economic relations between the two countries. Agreements have also been reached on specific steps to enhance cooperation in upgrading India’s railways sector. The process of discussions on civil nuclear energy cooperation will commence soon thereby bolstering the broader cooperation on energy security.
China is one of India’s largest trading partners. Bilateral trade in goods has gone from less than $3 billion in 2000 to $66.57 billion in 2012. In India, the interest in doing business with China is evident beyond the private sector and the Central Government — along with visits by a number of Indian CEOs, China has also seen visits from Chief Ministers of a number of Indians states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.
The governments of both countries have reasons for wanting stable ties: the desire for a peaceful periphery in order to focus on domestic socio-economic objectives; the need for stability in South Asia, especially with the impending American draw down of forces from Afghanistan; existing and potential economic ties; and the prospect for cooperation in the multilateral realm.
For Delhi, in addition, a stable relationship with China opens up the possibility that Beijing might use its leverage with Islamabad to shape Pakistan’s behavior in a way that might benefit India. For Beijing, there’s desire to limit India’s burgeoning relationships with the United States and Japan, as well as with other countries in what Beijing considers its backyard. Moreover, as China is preoccupied with eastern maritime disputes and the North Korean situation, stable relations on its southern and southwestern flank would also help the Chinese leadership.
The Chinese leader’s visit is also being billed as a chance to reset often troubled relations between the world’s two most populous countries, who disagree over the demarcation of several Himalayan border areas and fought a brief war in 1962.
Tensions over the issue still flare up from time to time and numerous rounds of border talks have been unsuccessful. Relations have also been dogged over the years by China’s backing for Indi’s neighbour Pakistan.
(The writer is a research scholar, JNU)