ABHIMANU IAS SPEAKS: INDIA-CHINA TIES

INDIA-CHINA TIES

Sino-Indian relations, also called Indo-China relations, refers to the bilateral relationship between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of India.
Relations began in 1950 when India was among the first countries to break relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan and recognize the PRC.
China and India are the world's most populous countries and also fastest growing major economies. The resultant growth in China and India's global diplomatic and economic influence has also increased the significance of their bilateral relationship.

CHALLENGES:

An unresolved boundary along the Himalayas
Chinese perception of a US-India strategy to contain China.
The possibility of diversion of waters of rivers emanating from Tibet.
A latent potential for unrest in Tibet, which comes to the surface from time to time.
The political and economic dimensions of two rising powers of Asia -- rivalry or competition -- for markets and resources.

POSITIVE FACTORS WHICH WOULD USHER CONVERGENCE OF INTERESTS & COOPERATION:

Improved bilateral relations due to the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership Agreement of 2005.
The new leadership in China will give great importance to relations with India, as stated by Wen Jiabao recently.
Growing trade and commerce which could touch $100 billion by 2015, a phenomenal increase from $0.35 billion in 1992. Of necessity, the trade imbalance has to be set right, so that it is a win-win for both nations.
A growing understanding amongst the leadership of the two nations that peace and stability is imperative to bring up the socio-economic conditions of millions of their people.
Greater sense of responsibility coming in the wake of recognition of having acquired or in the process of acquiring the status of powerful nations in the region and globally.
An understanding that there is "enough space for growth", as stated by the respective prime ministers of both countries.
Enhancement of military power of both sides, albeit the Chinese having a definite edge at present, and the deterrence value of nuclear weapons.
Challenge posed by the altitude and terrain in Tibet region that would inhibit the deployment of the full might of either side (an imperative to facilitate a decisive result in a conflict situation) and thereby, act as a restraining factor.

China continues to indulge in double-speak in the latest map row with India, Vietnam and the Philippines, refusing to budge from its position that the move was purely a security measure and not aimed against any country.

MAP OF DISCONTENT:

India noticed that Beijing had started issuing new biometric passports depicting two areas along the 4,000-km border as part of China
One of the areas was Arunachal Pradesh while the other was Aksai Chin, a remote part of Jammu and Kashmir that Beijing had occupied after the 1962 war
Beijing had informed all countries in advance about the proposed changes in the e-passport as is the general practice under the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization