India-China Relations: The Debate on Normalization Amidst the Border Dispute
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India-China relations, SCO, BRICS, RIC Trilateral); Geography of India (Line of Actual Control - LAC, Galwan, Demchok, Depsang); Modern Indian History.
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): India and its neighborhood- relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India; Effect of policies and politics of developed countries on India’s interests. This article provides excellent material for a Mains answer, offering multiple perspectives on the India-China relationship.
Key Highlights from the News
Experts are debating whether India should attempt to normalise ties with China while a boundary issue persists.
In 1988, during Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's tenure, India decided to cooperate in other sectors while maintaining peace and tranquillity on the border.
However, the Galwan incident in 2020 completely shattered this understanding.
Different Perspectives of Experts:
Vivek Katju: Argues that China does not view India as an equal power but as a rival. China is not genuinely interested in resolving the border issue.
Antara Ghosal Singh: China has started to view India's growing economic and demographic power as a threat. The abrogation of Article 370 and China's fear of India collaborating with the US were also factors behind the 2020 conflict.
Normalising relations without resolving the border issue could lead to a recurrence of conflicts like Galwan in the future.
China forming trilateral mechanisms with Pakistan and Bangladesh in South Asia is seen as a move targeting India.
However, due to China's dominance in the manufacturing sector, maintaining a functional relationship with them is an economic necessity for India.
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