During the Raisina Dialogue 2024, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke on the dynamic nature of the relationship with China, emphasizing the need for India to be aware of global factors and not just bilateral considerations in its dealings with China. Highlighting the potential economic convergence, Jaishankar mentioned Goldman Sachs projections foreseeing both nations having $50 trillion economies around 2075. He also recalled the longstanding mutual understanding regarding the border, which saw a shift due to actions by China in recent years, culminating in standoff incidents.
Jaishankar discussed the necessity of leveraging international relationships to achieve a balanced equation with China, hinting at the gamesmanship of discounting the influence of the broader international community. He suggested a reevaluation of India’s approach towards China, recognizing the decades-long adversarial stance of the Communist Party of China and the need for a consistent policy that prioritizes Indian citizens’ well-being. Instances of Chinese transgressions at the Ladakh border serve as examples of continuous overt challenges faced by India, indicating the underlying aggressiveness in China’s regional strategy.
Militarily, reports detail an uptick in infrastructure and presence by the People’s Liberation Army near the Indian border. Simultaneously, there’s a peculiar contrast highlighted by the ‘hand-in-hand’ bilateral military exercises between India and China, which have persisted despite tensions. These activities underscore complexities in the military diplomacy between the two nations. Additionally, bilateral trade data shows that while the trade deficit between India and China has slightly reduced, there is still a marked imbalance unfavorable to India. China’s naval expansion presents another angle of indirect strategic challenge, using a range of assets for regional influence and surveillance, while playing a long game of naval development.
Conclusively, Chinese officials continue to downplay border issues in favor of other aspects of the bilateral relationship. They exhibit a selective approach to territorial claims and maintain the narrative of India being at fault for border skirmishes, which starkly contrasts with international perceptions and reports. The discourse underlines the reality of a complex, multifaceted, and challenging India-China relationship that intertwines economics, military strategy, and diplomatic maneuvers requiring careful calibration by India.