The new position adopted by China constitutes a significant departure from the earlier posture and is possibly a result of New Delhi allaying certain fears that China harbours with regard to the borders. Pakistan would be quite disconcerted by this unexpected turn of events which further weakens heir position on Kashmir.
Trade and economics predictably dominated the talks! Prime Minister Modi went well prepared and determined to get certain concessions that would lead to a reduction in the ever-increasing trade deficit between the two countries. President Xi Jinping responded positively with assurances of an increase in tourism, pharmaceuticals etc. There was an agreement to establish a “High-Level Economic and Trade Dialogue to deepen economic cooperation; achieve enhanced trade and commercial relations and a better balance of bilateral trade.”
China, on is part, is looking for permission for its companies, especially Huawei, to invest in India, and also wishes to see India joining the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Experts are of the belief that India cannot afford to ignore an Asia centric free trade agreement and hence the Modi government may accede to the demand in time.
It is notable here that China has launched a huge propaganda war against the United States that is largely centric to the Indian Sub-continent. Islamic nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh are terming news of Chinese repression of its Muslim population as a product of US-engineered misinformation. “As a part of the propaganda war, they (US) have now employed the media outlets to make the Islamic world hostile towards China by spreading fake news of so-called Muslim oppression in the country,” says Mohd Enamul Hassan in an article published in the Global Times. Hassan is a Bangladeshi journalist who has done a fellowship at the Beijing based Communication University of China. India will need to be vigilant to not fall in a similar propaganda trap laid out by China and will need to nurture the good relationship with the
The US alongside of the positive developments on the Chinese front. The US, on its part, would do well to understand the emerging dynamics in the South Asian region. In case it wishes to get assistance from India to balance out China then it will need to show more compliance in trade talks and other concerns that India may have about China.
Notwithstanding the growing bonhomie with China, there is much for India to be wary of. First and foremost is the Chinese reluctance to ease out on the borders; India simply cannot reach out to China as a friend till the border dispute is not settled in letter and spirit.
Chinese support to Pakistan has an element of flip-flop diplomacy that continues to generate unreliability in the relations between the two Asian giants. The fact that Pakistan continues to get Chinese assurances of a “Harmonious Relationship” a long time tested lines is something that India cannot ignore. An acid test will come by with the Chinese reaction to Pakistani mischief when the reorganisation of J&K into two Union Territories is implemented.
Chinese statement on this issue is undesirable. The reorganisation of J&K into two Union Territories is India’s internal matter. This is why I am saying that the manner in which things play out will indicate the success or failure of the Mamallapuram Summit.
The last word here is that India needs to continue resisting Chinese attempts to dominate Asia while building a relationship based on equality with the country. To summarise, though the Mamallapuram Summit had a positive spin-off much needs to be done to get Indo-China relations on to a desirable level.
(Jaibans Singh is a geostrategic expert, columnist, and author)
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