Editorial 2: A reconnection in Tianjin
Context:
Recently PM Modi visited Tianjin for SCO summit. He also met Chinese President XI Jinping on the sidelines of the summit. This bilateral summit has restored the relations which were stalled post Galwan military stand-off in 2020.
Tianjin Summit and its outcomes:
- This summit comes at a crucial time when India-US relations are facing turbulence due to the arbitrary usage of tariffs as weapon by the US.
- Both the leaders have endorsed the agreements already signed during the visit of China’s foreign minister this August. This followed the consensus built during the bilateral meet of both leaders in Kazan, Russia in 2024.
- However, the outcomes of this visit must be viewed cautiously as both countries have troubled relationship post war in 1962. After military standoff in Galwan, Ladakh the bilateral relations were at all time low. Kazan meet and Tianjin meet have restored some normalcy in relations.
- This normalcy must not be considered as breakthrough in relations. Both countries have contentious issues such as territorial-cum-border dispute since their birth in 1947 and 1969 of India and China respectively. These issues have bedeviled the relationship for many years.
- Official statements released by both countries following the Tianjin summit shows that border talks will still remain the “work in progress”. Both these countries will cooperate in other domains while simultaneously holding talks to resolve border dispute.
India-US relations post Tianjin visit:
- This visit marks a watershed in Geopolitics as India, Russia, and China all three are impacted by the US actions.
- Till US imposed tariffs on India, it maintained a delicate balance between its ties with US and Russia. It has remained an active member of QUAD, and maintained close relation with US. It has also been able to maintain close ties with Russia.
- US tariffs has shifted the foreign policy focus towards maintaining good ties with Russia and China.
- It does not mean that India, in pursuit of maintain close ties with China and Russia, sever its ties with US. India has followed the policy of Non- Alignment since 1947. This has allowed India to ensure that it core interests are fulfilled at the same time it can engage with its diverse strategic bilateral partners.
- India-US relations had been bitter during the Cold war era from 1974 to 2005 due to the differences over Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Following the India-US nuclear deal in 2008, there have been a steady consolidations in India-US relations.
- The tariff imposed by US has strained these relations. India remains committed to maintain good relations with US in the long term due to its favorable strategic calculus.
India-China Relation has always been strained:
- India and China have a history of breakdowns and reaffirmation in their bilateral relations.
- Since 1962, China has followed adverse policy towards India. In cold-war era it has aligned with the US to thwart Indian nuclear tests in 1998. It has also tried to spoil 2008 nuclear deal with US.
- Now, it adversely affects Indian interests by aligning with Pakistan through policies such as Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that violates the sovereignty of India.
Way Forward:
India-China relations have been restored by their recent bilateral meetings in Kazan and Tianjin. SCO discussions in Tianjin have pointed to current geopolitical reality of multi-polar world. Currently, when major global powers are facing complex problems and power struggle, India follow its doctrine of Non-Alignment. This will help meeting its interest and also strategically navigate the power dynamics in multi-polar world.