EXTERNAL Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has minced no words in stating that the current downturn in India-China relations was a creation of China and not India. The international community will indeed believe Dr Jaishankar’s statement, given the experience of dealing with China.

While pursuing own growth, China resorted to unnecessarily conflict-inviting methods of rise in global order. Hence, it has contested border with several nations including India. In case of India, as is known to all, the Communist country had constructed a road through Aksai Chin territory of India and resorted to unilateral aggression followed by unilateral ceasefire long ago. However, since then, China has been using the festering border issue as per its convenience.

 

As is its character, China has been deliberately trying to project itself as stronger than others. More than co-operation, hegemony is the salient feature of its international outreach. This has antagonised its neighbours, leading to downturn in China’s relations with them. While the ties of India with Russia has stood the test of time, China’s blind pursuit of hegemonic ambitions has prevented it from seeing the route of co-operation and peace.

Over the years, China has been creating several impediments through various methods in India’s growth story. Despite that, India has evolved as a nation. While converting diversity into strength, India has emerged in the world economic and political order as a nation to reckon with, thanks to the visionary and firm leadership of Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, who is ably aided by the likes of Dr S Jaishankar and others. As has been put very succinctly by Dr Jaishankar, India is rising as a big power that wanted stability. The diplomatic actions in the past few years, have made it clear to the world that India believes in pursuing the interest of own citizens while striking ties on the firm foundation of multilateralism and international co-operation.

 

In sharp contrast, China has come to be known as suppressor of democratic sentiments and an international bully. Crackdowns and disappearances and suppression of dissent with iron hand has become characteristic features of Communist China. Its debt trap has landed countries like Sri Lanka in soup. Its support to Pakistan, which has earned the dubious distinction as a global terrorism hub, has dented China’s image internationally on more than one occasions. It has been resorting to strong posturing on border with India and heavy investment in infrastructure, manpower, and equipment.

 

All these actions of China do not indicate its belief in principles of peaceful co-existence and co-operation. Obviously, this has forced India to shape its response appropriately. For instance, despite knowing well China’s belief in non-contact warfare, India has been forced to make necessary investment in terms of deployment of forces, equipment, and development of infrastructure in border with China due to the Communist country’s aggressive posturing. Still, India has been expressing willingness to engage in dialogue. In this context, Dr S Jaishankar is absolutely right in saying that China too must have belief in a workable relationship.

Against this backdrop, the onus of good ties with India lies entirely on China.