Changing Dynamics in India- China Relations: A Study of Modi-Jinping Era

Abstract

After the Galwan Valley crises on 15 June, relations between India and China have reached the lowest level in last 58 years after the Sino-India war 1962. This standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayas border emerged as a serious test and challenge for India’s foreign policy towards China in the age of COVID-19. This has a dangerous consequence not only for both of them, but also for the entire Asian region in particular and world in general. This is also very pertinent as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met eighteen times with each other in last six years including two informal summits. This has a very serious threat to Indian security and a major concern of Modi’s foreign policy towards China. These ongoing confrontations along the borders signify a far-reaching crisis, intimidating the tenuous framework that has formerly prevented Sino-India relations from converting into open rivalry. India has recorded several hundred Chinese transgressions across the de facto border annually, but this marks the second prolonged border crisis in last four years after the Doklam standoff in 2017. On the one hand, both have celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations in this year; on the other hand, the armies of both the states are fighting in Ladakh as well as in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. But, it is not a new phenomenon in their relations, after the study of a long history of their conflictual relationship, which shows a clear gap in their bilateral ties and up and down in their affairs. There are many conflictual issues in their bilateral relations. The issues of Dalai Lama, 1962 war, Sikkim skirmishes in 1967, Sumdorong Chu Valley skirmish in 1987, Doklam standoff in 2017, China security and economic cooperation with Pakistan including CPEC, BRI, China policy of expansionism and geopolitics of South Asia are in case of point. Thus the last ten months, both have been involved in a series of confrontations along their disputed Himalayan border in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Ladakh that has become the worst crisis in Sino-Indian relations at present, but it is not unprecedented for many scholars not only in India, but world also. It is an important part of Chinese policy namely “two steps forward, one step back” to capture the land of their neighbours and expansions of their own territory. In this research paper an attempt will be made to know Sino-India relations in Modi-Jinping epoch. The main thrust here is to know what strategy has been adopted by the Modi Government regarding Chinese aggression along LAC. Along with an effort will also be made to analyze and explore the various problem areas between India-China relations. Why did this type of standoff emerged again and again in their peaceful relationship? Is there any mechanism developed to counter this confrontation? These and others related questions are the main thrust of this research paper.