UNIT 3

INDIA-CHINA RELATIONSHIP

INTRODUCTION
The relation between India and China is widely regarded as one of the central pillars of global politics.
The two Asian giants, India and China share much in common such as the Himalayas, ancient civilization,
colonial past, current challenges and future potentials. The emergence of India and China was termed as
the greatest events of the 20th century. China and India are two of the oldest civilizations of the world.
India was the first non communist country to apprehend the Peopleís Republic of China in 1949 and
started diplomatic relations with China. Recently, India and China marked the year 2020 as the 70th
anniversary of diplomatic relations.

POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

India-China relations have experienced considerable changes over the past seven decades. India and
China started diplomatic relations in 1950 and India was the first non socialist nation to accept the
People's Republic of China and start diplomatic relations. The saying Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai became
prominent. Premier Zhou Enlai visited India in 1954. India and China put a joint statement and endorsed
the Five Principles of Panchsheel. In the same year, Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru toured
China. He was the first head of the government of a non-communist state to visit China since the
establishment of the People's Republic of China. In 1955, India and China participated in Asian-African
Conference held in Indonesia and promoted the Bandung spirit of friendship, unity and cooperation. The
NonAligned Movement was the result of this conference and in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, the first NAM
summit took place in 1961. Further, the 1962 India ñ China border dispute the acquisition of nuclear
weapons by China in 1964 and Indiaís role in creation of Bangladesh as well as its nuclear weapons test
in 1974, strained India-China relationships.
However, by the end of 1970s, a change in mutual relationship was witnessed. In 1976, India and China
re-established diplomatic relations and bilateral ties progressed steadily. The two sides agreed to settle
the border disputes and promote peaceful and friendly ties. The changed atmosphere in mutual ties was
further strengthened during the post-cold war era.
On the event of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of foreign relations between India and China
Indian President K. R. Narayan, visited China. Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee toured China in
2003 and India-China signed the Declaration on the Principles and Comprehensive Cooperation in India-
China relations. Both the parties also agreed to undertake the special representatives summit apparatus
in India-China boundary questions. The agreement emphasized on the advancement of exchange in
culture, education, media and people to people contact etc. They also set up centers to promote culture
in each otherís capitalís and work towards the promotion of direct shipping and air links and boost
tourism.
In 2014, China President Xi Jinping visited India and both countries issued a joint declaration on building
a strong development partnership. This visit was followed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
visit to China in 2015. Year 2020 was celebrated as the 70th anniversary of the initiation of diplomatic
ties between China and India. Both countries agreed to celebrate activities to exhibit the historic
alignment between the two countries and to strengthen people-to-people exchange between the two
nations at businesses, legislatures, academics, cultural and defense forces etc.
BILATERAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS
Today, India and China represent Asiaís most dynamic and two largest economies. Bilateral commercial
ties between India and China began in the 1980s. Efforts were made by both the governments to
promote common trade interests and stiffen their relations on trade terms. India and China also took
part in the multilateral trade according to WTO commitments.
Today, China is the second largest trade partner of India, behind the US. India is Chinaís top ten trade
partner. The trade between China and India has grown four times in the past decades, but the trade is
inclined more in favor of China.
Major products exported from India to China are organic chemicals, mineral oils, fish, molluscs and
other aquatic invertebrates, plastics etc. Major products imported from China to India are electrical
machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances parts, organic chemicals,
plastic and fertilizers. China is an integral part of the global supply chain and India, too, is dependent on
Chinese imports.
Further, in the year 2020, Indiaís trade principle is focused on advancing the share of the market and
inspecting new platforms. It focuses on the MSME sector and labor intensive framework. It also wishes
to focus on agricultural exports and enhancing domestic markets at the international level.
Seven Banks from India have a branch office in China. Currently, the State Bank of India (SBI) is the only
bank to have the authority to act as a local currency business at its branch in Shanghai. Various agencies
and government institutions have been interconnected with each other to boost their cooperation in
areas like human resource development, taxation, health, education, etc.
Indiaís demographic dividend and skilled manpower are its critical assets that are going to act a
significant role in India-China economic and trade relations. India-China trade has enduring capability
and has future political significance.

CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS

During the historical period, many Buddhist scholars and pilgrims traveled to China through silk routes.
Indian monks helped to spread Buddhism in China. Similarly, pilgrims from China also visited India.
Yoga is becoming popular in China. During the Indian Prime Minister's visit to China, an accord was
signed to start a yoga college in Yunnan Province (Kunming). On the day of International Yoga Day (21
June 2017) Yoga@Great Wall event was planned at the Great Wall of China.
In 2006, India and China signed an accord for the Education Exchange Programme, under which
government scholarships are conferred to 25 students by both the nations in higher education. The
cooperation in the education sector resulted in an increased number of Indian students in China. In
2017, during the BRICS Ministers of Education meeting, Shri Prakash Javadekar, minister of MHRD at
that time, admired the formation of institutional mechanisms in the form of BRICS Network University
and BRICS Think Tank Council. This project involves students who are studying different educational
courses in several universities in China. A large number of Indian Diaspora are also operating as
professionals in many Indian and multinational corporations.

INDIA-CHINA BORDER DISPUTE

1) The Western Sector

India shares a length of approximately 2152 kms with Chinaís border in western sector, which covers
an area between Jammu and Kashmir and Chinaís Xinjiang Province. In western sector the dispute is
for the Aksai Chin region of Jammu and Kashmir. The British Empire was responsible for the dispute
over the Aksai Chin region. It is due to their failure to clearly draw a legitimate border between India
and China. Two borders - the Johnson Line and the Macdonald Line were recommended between
India and China during the British Empire. According to Johnson Line Aksai Chin falls under Indian
territory. According to the Macdonald Line, Aksai China falls under Chinese territory. India
contemplates Johnson Line as the accurate line and the legal national boundary with China.
Similarly, China appraises the Macdonald Line as the right border with India. A line that separates
Indian administered areas of Jammu and Kashmir from Aksai Chin is called the Line of Actual Control
(LAC). India and China fought a war in 1962 over disputed territory of Aksai Chin. India asserts that
Aksai Chin is a part of Jammu and Kashmir, while China declares that it was a part of Xinjiang
province.
It has been reported that China offered a Package deal If India accepts Chinese sovereignty in Aksai
Chin, China will accept India sovereignty in Arunachal Pradesh. India didnít accept the package deal
and said that there will be proper demarcation in each sector.

2) Galwan Valley
Galwan Valley is in Jammu and Kashmir, Near Line of Actual Control (LAC), is a disputed area claimed
by India but controlled by China. It has been a site of conflict since 1962. The Galwan River passes
from the disputed Aksai Chin region and Shyok River on the Indian side. It is located between Ladakh
and Aksai Chin. India is constructing Daulat Beg Oldi Road. The road runs along the Shyok River and
it is the most critical line of communication close to LAC. It comes upto PP14. In June, 2020, twenty
Indian soldiers including a commanding officer were martyred during clashes with Chinese army
personnels.

3) Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake is divided into eight fingers. Fingers 1-4 are under Indiaís control and fingers 5-8 are
under Chinaís control. Near finger 4, there is an Indian post . However, India said that the entire area
upto finger 8 fall under Indian territory. However the matter of dispute is the area between finger 4
and finger 8 and have repeatedly spotted confrontation from both the sides. Recent confrontation
was a result of Chinese construction near finger 4 in the area of Pangong Lake. In the disputed
region, China obstructed the route of Indian patrol teams and from there the confrontation started.
India said that LAC begins at finger 8, while China asserts that LAC begin at finger 2, which is under
the control of India. After several meetings between both sides, the dispute was not solved.

4) The Middle Sector

India shares a length of 625 kms with China in the middle sector, which runs along Ladakh to Nepal.
There is not much conflict in the middle sector. Main conflict was in Sikkim. In 2003, during the visit
of Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, China recognised Indiaís sovereignty over Sikkim. India-
China opened Nathula Pass for cross border trade.

5) The Eastern Sector

India shares a length of 1149 kms of land boundary with China, starting from Bhutan's eastern point
to a point close to the Talu Pass at the trijunction of Tibet, Myanmar and India. This line is known as
the McMahon Line named after Henry McMahon, a representative of the British Government who
signed the Shimla Convention (1913-14). China claimed McMahon Line as illegal and acceptable and
said that Tibet has no legitimate right to sign the Shimla Convention. According to China, it was an
imperial boundary and claims Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh as an extension of Tibet, hence
part of Chinese territory. Whenever, Chinese central empire was strong, Tibet was under their
control. When it was weak, Tibet used to be autonomous. The British accepted Chinese sovereignty
over Tibet. However, they divided it into two parts: Inner Tibet ñ full sovereignty of China and Outer
Tibet ñ Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh.
ONE BELT ONE ROAD INITIATIVE
In 2013, the Belt and Road initiative was declared. It includes a Belt of overland routes and maritime
road, and plans to link Asia, Africa and Europe. The belt endeavors to the Silk Road economic belt which
covers overland routes, linking Central Asia, China, Russia and Europe. The road refers to the 21st
century maritime Silk Road plan to give a push to trade from China to Asia, Africa and Europe via the
South China Sea and the Indian Ocean and from China via the South China Sea towards the South Pacific.
In the wake of the global slow down, the Belt and Road initiative provides a new development model to
China to sustain its economic growth. One belt one road includes building roadways, railways, ports,
power grids, oil and gas pipelines, associated infrastructural projects which helps the economy of China.
The Belt and Road initiative has domestic as well as global dimensions, as it visualizes a move from
western countries' developed markets to developing economies in Asia and Africa. It also represents a
move in developmental strategy of China on provinces in central and western China instead of the
already developed East Coast region. Belt and road initiative creates an energy route between the
Middle East and Africa which will act as a safety valve against any possible blocks at points like Hormuz
and Strait of Malacca. It will also make China maritime power in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean
region and its littoral countries. Build and road initiative is projected as the project of the century. The
project includes 29 international organizations and 126 countries, covering more than half of the world
population.

ISSUES WITH ONE BELT ONE ROAD PROJECTS (OBOR)

1. OBOR projects is a death trap diplomacy of China where belt and road initiative projects are forcing
receiver countries into indebtedness. It also does not transfer their skills. For example, Hambantota port
in Sri Lanka was forced to lease the port to China for 99 years.
2. One Belt One Road projects represent the political and economic ambitious goal of China. This will
make countries like the USA, Germany, Japan, Britain, Russia and Australia sad about the impact of
Chinaís moves on their own economic and political affairs.
3. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a key part of the belt and road initiative which passes via
Pak Occupied Kashmir (POK). This is the main reason for India showing its discontent over the belt and
road initiative. Hence, boycotting belt and road initiative forums. China Pakistan Economic Corridor
violates Indiaís sovereignty, as it passes through the part of POK, which is an integral part of India. And
India can not accept a project that violates its main concerns over territorial sovereignty and integrity.
India also poses objections concerning operational problems, lack of transparency in information
sharing, problems in evaluation of the project about the impact on regional social culture,
environmental concerns etc. Belt and road initiative is a part of Chinese New colonialism. China's port
development project in the Indian Ocean raises security concerns for India. Increasing Chinese presence
in countries like Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar has already raised concern for India.

India should raise its boundary questions to China and ask for an apt response acknowledging Indiaís
sovereignty. India can also provide a South Asian dimension to the belt and road initiative corridors on
western and eastern sides of India by joining them with a scheme to connect Association for SouthEast
Asian Nation and SAARC region. India can also align with like minded nations like US, Japan and Australia
to suggest suitable alternatives to belt and road Initiatives, example - Asia Africa Growth Corridor
(AFGC). The European Union (EU) also proposed a document drafting its vision to connect Europe, Africa
and Asia. It will provide a different outlook to that taken by China on one belt and one road projects.
CONCLUSION
India and China have to break down the psychological barriers and free themselves from the past
memories, which have come in the way of improvement and normalization of Tues between both the
countries. Both India and China have good opportunities to give a positive direction in shaping global
political and economic order. Their perception regarding regional and global issues are different and
there is a room for accommodation and understanding. Realistically speaking, except the border
disputes, there are no bilateral issues that should shake their relations.
The most important thing between India and China is how they can promote peace so that their
capabilities and energies shall be devoted in the right direction of equitable global economic order and
international peace and prosperity. If they fail to recognize their potential and obligations, it will harm
both the nations. Both the countries should work together on matters like peaceful coexistence, New
International Economic Order, equitable distribution of resources, sharing of technology, reform in
international institutions like World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organisations
etc. This is possible when India and China sheíd their past prejudices and restart a new chapter of good
friendship and better understanding. In order to resolve their differences, they must stick to the
principles of Panchsheel.

ASK-COVID IMPACT