INDIA-CHINA: Tibet factor-Panchsheel Treaty-1962 War-Doklam Crisis-Corona Crisis-Galwan Clash-App Ban-Chinese tactic to surround India-Chinese Warning of New Cold War and Indian Response

 Tomorrow we shall be Free from the Slavery of the British Domination But at midnight India will be Partitioned. Tomorrow will thus be a day of Rejoicing as well as of Mourning.

                                          M.K. Gandhi, 14th Aug,1947                                  

The Political Tussle between the Congress and Muslim League and due to Interference from British rule, India was Divided and that led to the creation of Pakistan. It was found that many Countries that gained Freedom from Colonialism experienced Non-Democratic Rule. Following the Trend Countries like China, Cuba permit only the Single Party to rule.

After achieving the Freedom, India started framing hers Foreign Policy, the Cold War was just beginning and the World was getting divided into two Blocs. As the Nation born in the Backdrop of the World War, India decided to conduct its Foreign relations with the aim to Respect the Sovereignty of all other Nations and to achieve Security through the Maintenance of Peace.

TIBET Factor:

Tibet is one of the major issues that historically caused tension between India and China. In 1950, China took control over Tibet, large Population of Tibet opposed this move of Hegemonic China. In 1958, there was armed uprising in Tibet against China's occupation. In 1959, DALAI LAMA crossed over into the Indian Territory and sought Asylum which was granted, Chinese govt strongly opposed this move.

Panchsheel Treaty:

After Chinese Revolution in 1949, India was one of the first Countries to recognize the Communist Govt. Panchsheel, the Five Principle of peaceful Co-existence was signed by the Indian PM Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in 1954 was a step in the direction of stronger relationship between the two Countries. Due to Clauses in Panchsheel treaty India was not opposed the China's claim over Tibet.

War of 1962:

Giving Asylum to the Dalai Lama, China alleged that Indian Govt was allowing Anti-China activities from within Indian territory. This led a Boundary Dispute Between India and China and China claimed two areas of Indian Territory, first was the Aksai-Chin area in Ladakh region and second was the North East Frontier Agency(NEFA) of Arunachal Pradesh. Following the claims China launched a massive Invasion in 1962 on both the disputed regions. Indian Troops managed to block the Chinese assault in Western Front in Ladakh but in Eastern Front Chinese Troops managed to advance till the entry point of Assam Plain. But later China announced a unilateral Ceasefire and returned where they were before the attack. It was the direct attack on India's image and induced a sense of humiliation.

Period Between 1962-2000:

Both the Countries started strengthening their Economy, Defence, Technology etc. In 1964 China tested Nuclear weapon and become the Fifth Nuclear armed Country. Due to the Pressure from Opposition Parties and increased hostile behaviour of Pakistan, India too tested Nuclear weapon in 1974 under the regime of Indira Gandhi which gave her a massive popularity. Till 2000 Both Countries were developing nearly same pace, but due to the Authoritarian Nature of Chinese  Govt it managed to made Radical changes in the Country and hers Economy and GDP both were rising Exponentially. Whereas, In India, Political tussles and Socialist Model of development  did not able to yield drastic changes in improving Economy or GDP. During 1990s situation of India was very poor and reached the condition of economic crisis which compelled her to approach World Bank and International Monetary Fund(IMF) to seek Loan.

To enhance the look

Between 2000-till today:

In  this time gap Chinese Economy and GDP rose much higher than India and it is nearly four times that of India. Conducive Policies and Environment in China led coming of Huge Foreign Direct Investments(FDI) and Technology Transfer in the Country. Whereas, India too experienced considerable amount of development, different Govts had taken lots of positive steps which helped India to reduce Poverty, Malnutrition, Hunger etc. and seen improvements in other sectors such as Infrastructure, Information and Technology, Space etc.

Recent Crisis:

Doklam Issue- It is a Area surrounded by Tibet(China), Sikkim(India), Bhutan. In 2017, Chinese Army tried to build a strategic road but the area is claimed by Bhutan as its own territory. To stop the Chinese army from construction of road there was Military standoff between Indian army and Chinese army.

Wuhan Corona Episode- SARS-CoV-2 outbreak was taken place in December,2019 in the Wuhan city of China. Due to delayed actions by Chinese authorities the outbreak was converted into Pandemic that led to the devastation of Economies of almost every Country across the World in the form of Death toll and loss of Livelihood. The rage of Virus is still continue in the form of Variant of Virus recently found in the UK.

Galwan Clash- There was a Military face-off between Indian army and Chinese army in June,2020 that led to killing of 20 Indian soldiers and unknown number of Chinese soldiers, this clash was the most serious border crisis since 1960s. Later China unilaterally tried to redraw the LAC(Line of Actual Control) and claimed a strip of Indian Territory.

App Ban- Talks were going on to ease the tension along LAC but meanwhile Indian Govt decided to ban more than 200 Chinese Mobile Apps citing threat to the National Security and Data theft by Chinese Companies. The Banned apps include some famous app like PUBG and TIKTOK and many more.

China's tactic to surround India:

-China has launched ambitious project named Border Road Initiative(BRI), except India and Bhutan other SAARC nations have joined it.

-Chinese support in infrastructural developments in Countries like Maldives(airport), Sri Lanka(Hamban-tota-port), Pakistan(CPEC), Bangladesh(Investment under BRI), Nepal(FDI from China).

-Chinese Support to SAARC countries in providing Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine and PPE suits.

-String of Pearls policy- It is a potential Chinese intentions in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR) and it includes network of Chinese Military and Commercial facilities and relationships along its sea lines of communication which extend from the Chinese mainland to port Sudan in the Horn of Africa.

Way Ahead:

India Should emphasize on neighbourhood first policy, Initiative like SAGAR(Security and Growth for all in the Region), COVID-19 relief, QUAD Cooperation etc. 

China's warning of New Cold War and Indian Response:

In the wake of comments issued by Chinese President Xi-Jinping at Davos World Economic Forum(Virtual Summit), Indian Govt also clears its stand on the future relationship with the China. The newly elected President Joe Biden even warned the China about its Expansionary Policy in East and South-East Asia. The Chinese President tried to point the Global Leaders toward "New Cold War", reaffirming Beijing's ambitious Climate pledge to slash Carbon Emission by 65% by 2030 and achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2060. Mr. Xi wants to position China as a key player in a multi-lateral World order as the US remains crippled by the Pandemic. As far as India-China future ties are concerned, Indian Foreign External Minister has called the year 2020, "Exceptionally Stress" in a relationship "profoundly disturbed" by the border crisis. Galwan Clash that led to the death of 20 Indian Soldiers and heavy presence of Chinese troops, increased construction of border infrastructure especially on the Chinese side along LAC, not only signaled a disregard for commitments about minimizing troops level but also showed a willingness to breach the peace and tranquility on the border that had been the foundation for the relationship. The relations were under stress from past few decades as China was issuing stapled Visas to Indian citizens from J&K during 2010, China's opposition to India's membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group and the UN Security Council(UNSC) as a permanent member, the blocking of UN listings of Pakistani terrorists, issuing of comments by Chinese Leaders over J&K and its special status and many more..., To ease the tensions, the Minister suggested "three mutuals" and "eight broad propositions" as a way forward for the relationship, he cited "Mutual Respect, Mutual Sensitivity, and Mutual Interest" are the "Determine Factors". According to him, the basis for the development of relationship was the peace and tranquility in border areas, if it was disturbed, means rest may also disturb. On comments by Mr. Xi over 'New Cold War', Indian Minister urged that both the Countries should remain committed to a Multi-polar World.

References-

NCERT, NEWSPAPERS etc.