Round The World

New Delhi, 3 December 2013

Pranab Arunachal Visit

CHINA REACTION INTOLERABLE

By Prof. Arvind Kumar

(Dept of Geopolitics & Intl Relations, Manipal Univ)

It is ironical and disturbing that President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh has irked China. It needs to be emphasized here that it is not for the first time that Beijing has reacted to such high-level visits. It did so when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited Arunachal Pradesh during October 2009. It was stated by Beijing that such a visit would bound to heighten tensions over the long running border dispute between India and China.

It goes without saying that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. There is nothing which can prove that it is not under India’s control. All the Indian laws as per the Constitution are applicable in both domestic and international contexts of Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore, Beijing’s reactions to it have no basis at all. However, there are certainly some misunderstandings and misperceptions on Arunachal Pradesh among the key policy makers of China. But, it can be reiterated here that there are none in New Delhi. Arunachal Pradesh is one of the important States of the seven sisters in the North-East and in fact is a gateway to India’s look east policy. 

Beijing’s misperceptions are largely due to the fact that it claims 90,000 sq km of territory in the eastern sector of the Himalayas and also shows the whole of Arunachal Pradesh in its political map. Such claims and depiction by China undoubtedly are disappointing for India, which has made known its stance in the past. And it is unfortunate that lot of irritants still exist in terms of perceptions.  

More recently, the signing of the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) by India and China this October was seen as a positive development in at least building and changing the mutual perceptions about each other. The BDCA, however, was nothing but a replica of India – China earlier agreements on peace and tranquility across borders signed during 1993 and 1996. The packaging of BDCA was done in a way where Beijing can market it well to the rest of the world, reflecting its intentions and fundamental goals.        

Despite having a mention in the BDCA that the India-China Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity serves the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries, there seems to be a lack of move by Beijing to realize the goals enshrined. It has also been mentioned in the agreement that neither side shall use its military capability against the other side and that their respective military strengths shall not be used to attack the other side. But, at the same time, China in many ways signals its aggressive posture across the Sino-Indian border. What does the deployment of DF-21 ballistic missile targeting India mean? Sadly, there is certainly a lack of consistency between rhetoric and action on part of China’s declarations.

The other important part of the understanding reached at least on paper by India and China is about the commitment not to use or threaten to use force against the other side and also not to seek unilateral superiority. How does India, despite knowing very well that Beijing’s strategic posturing across the globe largely connotes to the fact that it has the ambition of becoming a world power, believe that China will not seek unilateral superiority? Further, the BDCA has its own flaws. It must be mentioned here that it seems New Delhi has not given sufficient thought to it from the strategic point of view.

There is an acknowledgement by both sides in the BDCA that the maintenance of peace, stability and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas is an absolute necessity. But, China unfortunately has been engaging itself in expanding its base and also strengthening its military and strategic capabilities. Such behavioural patterns have been causing serious damages to the relationship.

The implementation of confidence-building measures in the military field along the LAC is an imminent requirement by both sides and more particularly by China. However, it would be too difficult a task for India to trust China at this juncture where mutual suspicion is growing almost on a daily basis. It would certainly be a complex diplomatic challenge for New Delhi to respond to China’s reactions. But, is there any way out?

It must be stressed here that it is high time India starts taking the border negotiations with lot more seriousness and see whether there will be a win-win situation for both. The political dimension of Sino-Indian relations cannot be neglected and both sides should keep their political understanding in order. If the centre of gravity is shifting from the West to the East, then it is certain that both India and China together will have to play a role in leading world affairs. Any irresponsible act by either of sides will lead to a disastrous path and will ultimately be problematic especially in terms of assuming the responsibilities of the international community.

The West and the United States in particular have been keenly watching India-China affairs. It would be in their interest if India and China clash and divert the attention of the overall growth, which ultimately will help in the ongoing transition of the power shifts. The political leadership in both the countries, India and China need to be cautious of the West’s designs. More maturity needs to be reflected even in the key policy statements and media briefing.

China will have to finally engage with India seriously on the border issues and reach to some level of understanding, where a resolution would help in bridging all the differences and dispelling misunderstandings. Undoubtedly, India does figure on China’s radar screen. The emphasis on economics and commerce will not be sufficient unless and until the core issue of the border row is addressed. The bilateral economic partnership cannot afford to override political issues for a long time. New Delhi has to understand the political issues with more seriousness and give primacy to these. China obviously needs to change its political stance and understand the emerging geopolitical realities. --- INFA      

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