Are there warmer currents between New Delhi and Beijing after India took part in the Chinese navy’s anniversary celebrations?
- Tensions have been mounting between the two Asian behemoths, but recent developments indicate a thawing of relations
- Dealing with China be one of the major foreign policy challenges that confront India’s next government, making it worthwhile for the two to focus on their areas of cooperation, writes Rupakjyoti Borah
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However, India and China appear committed to charting a new course.
Modi is currently in the middle of general elections, but dealing with China will be one of the major foreign policy challenges that confront India’s next government.
This might entail new moves by the two sides to engage each other. Xi visited India – including a trip to Modi’s home state of Gujarat – in September 2014, soon after the prime minister took power.
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Furthermore, the United States has cancelled a waiver allowing India to buy Iranian oil, ensuring New Delhi will be incentivised to maintain a flexible approach in its relations with other countries.
Certainly, India will not want to push Pakistan and China any closer together, considering the “all-weather friendship” that already exists between the two countries.
China has its own considerations. It would not welcome closer ties between India and the US. However, Beijing also realises India is a major export market for Chinese companies, which might force China to rethink issues such as its stance on Masood Azhar, the JeM founder.
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Meanwhile, the US has been bearing down hard on China, especially on the trade front, perhaps prompting Beijing’s outreach to New Delhi and Tokyo.
Despite their differences on a range of issues, Beijing and New Delhi are trying to focus on their areas of cooperation. This will give both of them greater leverage – not only in their bilateral ties, but also in their ties with other countries.
Dr Rupakjyoti Borah is with the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore. The piece reflects his personal views