INDIA CHINA RELATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR GLOBAL PEACE AND REGIONAL SECURITY

Abstract

The strategic emergence of India and China, the two Asian neighbours has
shifted the gravity of world politics in to Asia and turned the vision of “Asian
Century” into reality. India and China are poised to regain world leader status
by middle of 21st Century. Their combined size and population makes them
the largest geographical and human resource on earth. India and China have
cultural, religious and trade links going back centuries in history. They also share
a past of colonial and imperialist subjugation from which freedom had to be won
with a major struggle, paradoxically they even fought a war with each other over
disputed frontiers. That continuing border dispute between the two countries
and China’s rapid growth in military power, not unsurprisingly creates anxieties
about the future relationship. China’s aggressive foreign policy postures also
do not encourage a benign view of it. Is China a major future threat to India,
or can they both coexist as world powers? China follows the path of peaceful
coexistence and India a path of non violence, Ahimsa and non confrontation.
Their relations were good when they gained independence but within a short
span went to war; and ever since their relations have been far from normal. Both
nations understand their ability to dominate world geopolitics and strive to attain
their rightful place in world comity. Confrontation between the two economic
giants will certainly not benefit but cooperation can hasten their progress. In spite
of various convergences and numerous divergences, there exists space between
them to cooperate and coexist. Rather, cooperation and not confrontation is
the way forward. The research dwells into the intricate China India relations
and attempts to redefine their relations as per Panchsheel; the policy of mutual
respect and peaceful growth. What therefore, should be the policy of India and
China in the world dominated by United States? India must take advantage of the
opportunities proffered, yet it should desist in confrontation with China. This
delicate balance can be achieved by a redefined policy based on Panchsheel.