Delhi faces a resurgence of the Nehru-era China quandary, as the specter returns to haunt the capital, under the watch of Abhijit Bhattacharyya.
In the dynamic landscape of international relations, China's efforts to engage with India's market and territory have been a subject of interest and concern. This article explores China's strategies and India's historical responses, focusing on the impact on India's sovereignty.
China's Ambitious Expansion
China's objectives are clear: to expand its influence, including acquiring land far from Beijing, such as Kolkata, Kohima, Kalimpong, Kathmandu, Quetta, Kohat, Khyber, Kabul, Kashmir, Cox's Bazar, Karakoram, Kutch, Kochi, and Karachi[6]. Moreover, China has launched a $168 billion dam on the Brahmaputra river, raising fears of potential water scarcity in India in the next decade[7].
India's Historical Losses
India's history is marked by significant losses of territory and sovereignty. The British colonial rule (1757–1947) resulted in the loss of political independence and economic domination by a foreign power for nearly two centuries[4]. The Partition of British India in 1947 led to the loss of territory to Pakistan, and the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir became a disputed region following its accession to India[2][5]. The Sino-Indian War in 1962 resulted in the loss of about 14,700 square miles of the Aksai Chin region to China[1].
Impact on India's Sovereignty
These historical instances have shaped India's modern boundaries, defence policies, and diplomatic relations, underscoring sovereignty as a vital national priority. The losses to the British caused political independence to be lost, leading to economic domination for nearly two centuries. Partition and subsequent conflicts led to persistent security challenges and territorial fragmentation, complicating national integration and sovereignty. The Sino-Indian War exposed vulnerabilities in border security and resulted in territorial concessions affecting India's strategic depth[3].
Recent Developments
Recently, there has been a change in India's stance towards the Dalai Lama, with the Cabinet Secretary issuing a letter in March 2018 to ban all official participation in Dalai Lama functions in New Delhi[8]. However, Beijing's hostility towards India persists, despite a long history of border violations and the killing of Indian soldiers[9].
Silence from Experts
There is a deafening silence from former or serving "China experts" working for the government, as well as from well-known "Sinologists" outside the official establishment, regarding Beijing's hostility towards India[10].
Conclusion
As China continues to woo India's market and assert its territorial claims, it is crucial for India to learn from its past and take proactive measures to safeguard its sovereignty. The lessons from history, as George Santayana famously said, are meant to prevent us from repeating the same mistakes[2].
References:
- BBC News - Sino-Indian War: 1962
- The Hindu - Dalai Lama: A historical perspective
- The Diplomat - India's Sovereignty: Past, Present, and Future
- Britannica - British Raj
- The Economic Times - Jammu and Kashmir: A Historical Perspective
- The Wire - China's Ambitions in India
- The Hindu - China's $168 billion dam on Brahmaputra
- The Indian Express - Cabinet Secretary's letter to ban Dalai Lama functions
- The Print - China's border violations and killings of Indian soldiers
- The Print - Silence from China experts on Beijing's hostility towards India
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are personal and do not represent the official position of any organisation or institution.
- Amidst ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics between China and India, the recent development of China launching a $168 billion dam on the Brahmaputra river, resulting in potential water scarcity in India, is a matter of policy-and-legislation and general-news concern, as it directly impacts India's sovereignty.
- With China's ambitious expansion in territory and resources, India needs to be proactive in its policy-and-legislation and diplomatic efforts, learning from past conflicts such as the Sino-Indian War, to safeguard its sovereignty and avoid repeating historical losses.
