India and China have historical relations for more than 2,000 years. The modern relationship began when India was among the first few to shift from Republic of China (Taiwan) and recognised the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) as the legitimate Government of China in 1950. India and China are two most populous countries and fast growing reckonable economies in the world.
Current relations between India and China are characterised by the two interlocking triangles of India- China- Pakistan and India China Japan with mutual Sino-India border disputes that caused three military conflicts- the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Chola incident in 1967, and the 1987 Sino-Indian skirmish. However, since late 1980s, both countries have successfully switched to healthier economic ties. In 2008, China counted as India’s largest trading partner and the two countries attempted exchanges in strategic and military relations.
The prevailing uncertainty in Pakistan takes that triangle to back burner. Eyes are therefore focused on visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinping to India, both on strategic and economic fronts. Indian Commerce Minister Nirmala Seetharaman’s visit to Beijing coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan. Although interlockings within the Japan-India- China triangle are complex, the Chinese read that move as “Modi’s snub to Japan before the BRICS summit, demonstrating Modi government’s priority to China in its foreign policy.”
Both India and Japan share historical disputes with China. Yet, the thaw in the India- China relationship in recent times is important, particularly after the change in guard in both countries. But can New Delhi manage stronger relationship with Beijing – that shares a 3,000 kilometer long disputed border with India, amidst incursions even when Xi is here- and also at the expense of Tokyo?
Besides the border disputes’ resolve, India expects Jinping’s visit to open up major Chinese investments in the country to reduce the existing imbalance and also expect China to facilitate Indian IT services exports by removing barriers.
It is interesting to see how business interests would shape the Indian- China relations as much retaining India- Japan relationship balance. For the moment it is encouraging that the China and Japan, both are engaging with us, giving hope to a new Asian order looking away from the West.
