Instead of being alarmed at China's growing inroads in the region, India needs to take a harder look at its own role and find new ways to win neighbours and increase influence in the region's growth story.
No one would accuse Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of being alarmist. So when, addressing the Heads of Missions last month, he spoke of paying close attention to “global powers exercising influence in the Indian Ocean Region,” it was assumed that the Prime Minister was genuinely concerned about China's growing role in the region. When he spoke to editors some days later about his concerns on China again, the assumption was sealed.
India's growing concern rose from two factors — the first, Beijing's sudden decision to provide Northern GOC General Jaswal with a stapled visa, saying his command includes a ‘disputed' region; and the other, newspaper reports that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) had approximately 11,000 soldiers in Gilgit-Baltistan, digging tunnels and posing a direct threat to India across the LoC.
Diplomats on both sides now say they are ‘sorting out' the visa issue, with Beijing on the back foot, particularly given that General Jaswal has travelled to China in the past. Meanwhile, the reported build-up in PoK was aggressively denied by Beijing and Islamabad, both insisting that the troops are there to help contain flood damage, and the impending threat of the Hunza dam overflowing, and also to work on the Karakoram Highway project. India's suspicions that China's army is now securing its land route to the Arabian sea via PoK have nonetheless grown, given that China has also wrested control of the Gwadar port back from the Singaporean Port Authority. The development ties in with the fear of India being choked by a strategic “String of Pearls” — a U.S. Defence Department term for China's ambitions for bases in the Indian Ocean Region. With Gwadar in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Chittagong in Bangladesh, and the Sittwe port in Myanmar, it would seem the string is slowly turning into a choke-chain for India.
At one level, the fears of China overrunning Pakistan to open a front with India may seem far-fetched, even hysterical. At another, it may be a much needed wake-up call for India to reassess its preparedness to counter an increasingly assertive Chinese military. At an entirely different level, New Delhi's alarm in the past few weeks could be most constructive if it ensures that India takes a closer look at its own role in the region, and why China is making headway with so many of our neighbours.
Take Sri Lanka that has many reasons to welcome Indian investment. Whether it has been the tsunami, the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), or the post-war demining and rehabilitation effort, Indian agencies have been at the forefront to help. And yet, as Sri Lanka recasts itself as the Singapore of the region, it is China that is its biggest infrastructural investor, bagging many coveted projects given China's deeper pockets. Much of it is a result of Indian apathy – the Hambantota port, for example, was offered to India first. New Delhi's lack of interest in developing this strategically located harbour was easily the gain of China, which worked double time to complete the project with Rs. 60 billion (Sri Lankan) funded from China's Exim bank, building the port, the city centre, the airport, a stadium, and a massive convention centre. Many in India worry that Hambantota's future could include a Chinese naval base too.
While Indian concerns about Hambantota are well known, practically no one speaks of the port project that India does have, in the northern town of Kankesenthurai (KKS). Originally, after the tsunami, the project was handed to the Dutch, but after India showed interest, the Sri Lankan President tore up that contract and invited India to build the port. Yet 18 months later, this harbour near Jaffna has seen little by way of construction; even a feasibility survey taken in June 2010 has not yet been finalised. Meanwhile Hambantota will receive its first ship in November, some six months ahead of schedule. The contract for the Colombo port has just gone to a Chinese consortium — no Indian company having even tried to bid for it. Given that the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)-Sampur coal 500-MW plant is already delayed years beyond its 2011 deadline, it is hoped that other projects India has committed itself to including the northern rail line, the Palaly airport and the Jaffna stadium will be dealt with more expeditiously.
While many in India would see these projects essentially as aid to a needy neighbour, it is time to invert the prism and see them, just as we accuse China, as ways of increasing our footprint and extending our ambitions to a sphere of influence well beyond our land mass.
In January this year, a historic agreement with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seemed to redefine how India would deal with its neighbours. Amongst a slew of agreements came India's $1-billion credit line — for 14 infrastructural projects. Even while the agreements were being finalised — Dhaka delivered some of the most wanted United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants. Despite opposition cries of a sell-out, Sheikh Hasina's India deal won her accolades in Bangladesh. Yet it took eight months before Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee flew to Bangladesh to operationalise the credit line, and by the time he reached, India had decided to change its earlier offer of $1bn at one per cent interest to 1.75 per cent — terms that took many in Dhaka by unpleasant surprise. Also, unless India relaxes its trade barriers to Bangladeshi goods, it will be accused of exploiting the transit rights only for its own benefit. It is hoped that Dr. Singh, whose trip to Dhaka is imminent, will address some of those concerns. Meanwhile China has moved into the delay gap on projects like the Chittagong port with ease, funding much of its refurbishment, as also the construction of the second Padma bridge, as it vigorously pushes MoUs on road links via Myanmar and a rail line connecting Beijing to Dhaka — as part of a $2.2-billion Chinese package on infrastructure.
A bolder move, but one that would win many hearts is to consider lifting tariff and non-tarrif barriers and duties unilaterally in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region altogether. Suspend the reality of our relations with Pakistan for a moment to think about the impact of ending such protectionism in a year that has so devastated Pakistan's economy. According to estimates, the destruction of standing crops on two million hectares has virtually wiped out Pakistan's staple revenue from export of cotton, rice, and sugar. The country will be dependent on importing these for the next few years. With 77 million people likely to go hungry, and Pakistan's projected growth likely to fall by half to about two per cent, it is only natural that China's interventions in flood relief, rebuilding destroyed roads, schools and bridges, aid and trade will grow. The question is: will India watch with its customary alarm but do nothing?
On our other frontiers, it must be said, the government has made some moves — increasing development aid to Afghanistan to $1.2 billion and discussing a $1-billion dollar credit line to Myanmar as well. Describing some of these initiatives at Harvard University this month, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said: “Today, with sustained high economic growth rates … India is in a better position to offer a significant stake to our neighbours in our own prosperity and growth.” It is equally important to stand that assumption on its head, and consider India's stake in the prosperity and growth of its neighbours. Whether it's Mauritius or Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan or yes, Pakistan — these are countries with close cultural, linguistic, historic ties to India no other country can match. As a result, it shouldn't be possible for China or any other superpower to encircle a country like India. The only thing that encircles us is our fear that they will.
(Suhasini Haidar is the Deputy Foreign Editor, CNN-IBN.)
A factual correction was made on September 29, 2010
Keywords: India-China ties, visa issue, PLA
I wish India, China both need to think deeply and establish strong relations with each other. We're in total support of China. China though is making a big mistake to support Pakistan which frankly in reality promotes nothing else but terrorism. China needs to realise this fact.
When the biggest issue of the country is to build a mosque or a temple, when our collective imagination is stuck in dark ages, when our average grain consumption is worse than sub Saharan Africa, when there are more people living under poverty than anywhere else I do not find it even remotely surprising that we are so far behind china.
Thanks to Suhasini Haidar for the excellent informative article.She has been quite restrained in criticism of GoI.
She has given instances of how India has ignored and lost opportunities to ' win friends and influence people', in relation to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in particular.
In the case of Pakistan, GoI may say that Pak is obstructing India's efforts.But is it true about the other neighbours?
This shows some basic defect/deficiency in our attitude. When China extends help and assistance to the neighbours, it is interpreted as conspiring against India.Is it the right attitude?Would it be wrong to say that India govt. is trying to cover its inefficiency, lack of initiative and commitment? Or, is its big brotherly attitude that expects the smaller countries to crawl and beg for India's indulgence?Why would they? Don;t they have their selfrespect? And that too when they have a readily available alternative?
Or, is this talk of concern about China's growing role in the region the same old anti-China and anti-communist rhetoric, under the influence of the U.S., with which GoI is getting closer and closer?
These questions are to be seriously considered by the people.
An excellent, unbiased article! I hope Dr. Singh reads this and takes some action. Instead of crying we should be doing things - actions speak louder than words! As for comment from my reader colleague - Balu, I would request you to look at this not from the "lion is coming lion is coming" attitude, its about time we did something. There is absolutely nothing wrong with what China is doing, they doing this because we don't.
While there is some truth in the article in the sense that India missd many opportunities in taking over some projects in our neibhouring countries, it is wisful and flawed thinking to assume that China is not behind us either overtly or subtly, It will be fool hardy and insane thinking if China is not an aggresive, hegemonistic and imperialistic neigbhour based on the following simple hard facts - 1. China is directly as well as secretively supporting our number 1 adversary namely Pakistan by arming them, supporting them in all foruns 2. China in every opportunity in international institution deny India its place not only not suporting us but tried to creat last minute hurdle in our Nuclear dela with US, preventing us and not supporting us in our bid to become UM Security council permanent member as they are afraid India will get power if we become permanent member 3. claiming our land Himachal Pradesh, creating skimrmishes in our broader etc. there are many other instances where China isa against us, Only a non partiotic newspaper can support articles supporting China, not other Indian paper does this however they are anti govt on other issues, This newspaer will even say that it is our mistake if China attacks India probaly, unless Hindu office is bombed. This neespaper will cry if someone talk ill of them, whereas it can tolerate and support our adversaries and subtle enemies.
One of the balanced and very good article showing the other side of the success of China in its "Pearl of Strings" strategy. The apathy of India to develop the Hambantota was and is denounced by many strategic analysts as one of egregious errors of the GOI until now. While making inroads in Pakistan is difficult using economic means, it is possible in Srilanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Afghanistan, etc. But, the signature lethargy of the bureaucracy, corruption and the will of the GOI to save its vote-banks and to turn blind-eye even at the detriment of the nation mars the image of the nation, whether be it in CWG or in the Kankesenthurai.
China's presence at Giligit-Balistan is an open secret for a very long time for all the readers of strategic news published in the many think tanks of Asia. However, the concern of the PM only now makes one think if he is waking up from long slumber and if he is totally disconnected with the realities in the ground.
As the author has pointed out, nothing can be taken as granted. Because a country is a neighbor of India didn't mean that it is India's turf and be taken for granted. Each and every country, as India has its aspirations and look forward to other better developed countries to meet that aspirations. But, apathy, lethargy, inefficiency and corruption on part would push these good neighbors into the ambit of China.
While China's inroads is of concern to all Indians, it would not have been possible for China to make such inroads if GOI has acted accordingly instead of showing knee-jerk responses. The DRDO, ISRO and other departments still lags behind their schedule in providing the most needed weapon systems to our Armed forces. But, the action against these departments from the GOI is next to null. Thus these departments, which were once a magnet for brilliant minds now acts a repellent to these same minds which move to other nations for better prospects. On the contrary, China, even Pakistan, tries to gain back the drained brains with better job opportunities and prospects. This cycle will naturally result in better products and efficiency on the part of the Chinese while there is no need to say about India. The NRI who was recruited and checked-out unceremoniously from CSIRO is only serving as a warning notice for other NRI's to return to India. So India cannot expect to bring in the knowledge, scientific or administrative, from these NRIs. But China does. The already established bureaucrats, who want to protect their turf and cut their competition and is involved in nepotism, provides no encouragement to the incoming new engineers/scientists to develop the scientific skills which naturally makes them leave India. I'm currently doing my PhD in remote sensing in France. I met another person from India who was previously with DRDO but left it do his PhD, here in France. I was surprised by his act from whom I learnt the pitiful state of these organisations.
Yes, China's encircle of India is of concern to us. But to counter China first India has to introspect to find the faults in its system that is leading to its lethargy, inefficiency and corruption. India does have brilliant minds in science and management but does the GOI has the will to cultivate these minds to the betterment of India is a question, the answer for which is eluding until now.
I, as an Indian, just wish that the PM's concern doesn't just stop at the level of concern but transform into an action that transforms India like Indra Gandhi, Moraji Desai, etc and hope not to repeat the mistake of Sri Jawarhalal Nehru.
Corruption is the cause of all the problems that we are facing. Zero Accountability, Easy Money, Sab Chalta hai attitude will not take us far. We should learn from people of China.
India and China could be best friends for ever drop the egos and tie the friendship knot, indians never see china as a threat, only the world with no interest to keep geographical peace sees a threat between india and china.
Excellent article. Our Govt should wake up and do some thing positive. With man power & intelligence equal to China, we do not have much industries that can export to western countries. Chinese has entered all ventures from computers to auto industry and toys. Our SME and industrial policies shoul be implemented properly without just throwing subsidies and other concessions.
Madam, a fantastic article & hope the right ppl are listening
While the "carrot" approach is very critical, we also have to keep our "sticks" ready. And not give an impression that we are fools.
For instance, all said & done, any port project in Sri Lanka cannot take off, or sustain without the support of Indian cargo using them for tranhipment. Chinese ports are so big that they dont use any transhipment & if at they use, its mostly Hong Kong or Singapore, they'll neve come to Sri Lanka. So, the way to maintain the stick is by keeping option of an major Indian transhipment port open. Unfortunately, on this issue, we are driven by a lot of vested interests within the key minstries who completely skew the strategic options. If we are completely possessed, by self-interest, we have to hold on to our "stick" option. Besides, holding chinese in check, we also have to keep the "religious fundamentalism in Sri Lanka" in check.
Agree, that the primary approach should be more investments & more positive engagement but if we think, international affairs is a bollywood duet song, its misplaced.
We have good reason to be fearful, particularly with the perpetual unrest among Tibetans, Uighurs, Mongolians and the slave laboring classes in China. The Chinese junta who will do anything, including provoke war with other countries, to rally the people.
why india is where it is was already stated by J.Nehru at the old delhi international airpoprt for visitors to read and understand india.In short the message is'india will always be india'.I observed indians enjoy boastfulnes and not real time living .Look at Isreal.it stands for 'IS REAL'.That is why its is successfully able to keep itself alive even though surrouned by unfriendly neighbours.its citizens are earful,eyeful,mindful of terrosim.The do not gather to watch like a film show of any unattended parcels or people of suspicion: they do something about it.If only indians pay attention to this great nation,the parliment house ,nor the Taj hotel will not be allowed to be attacked.China is not only surrounding India so also is ASEAN.
China is pursuing its national interest with single minded devotion. Why can't India do the same, and not keep quoting the past and living there. Let us be as aggressive and cultivate all of China's disgruntled, victimised small neighbours.
The dissidence with which certain people speak about China has started costing India heavily--regionally and also globally. National Interest in the long-term should come first and therefore broad-ranging engagement with China is of utmost importance.
As usual,Hindu giving space to those who peddle Chinese propoganda and cannot see anything wrong in China. I guess why not invite China to invade India and occupy it ?
i think India should try to make efforts to improve relations with neighbors along with maintaining unity amongst Indian states.looking at the size of India and its diversity , Indian government(be it congress or BJP) is spending most of its time and other resources in coordinating with states , extremist within states etc.
looking at the failure of SAARC , India should take active interest in ASEAN.its look east policy must include china along with Myanmar and Bangladesh.in recent times India tried to improve relations with Myanmar ( visit by junta military ruler), Bangladesh and post LTTE srilanka.
one must not compare foreign policies of India and china. china has comparatively strong economy so as strong army also internal disturbances are minimal as compared to India.china is trying to improve relations with neighbors with eye on either oil ( from gulf through Pakistan) or military expansion.in that sense India's foreign policy is much more mature.
Equally important in the formulation of Indian foreign policy is the encirclement of India by uncle Sam with his military bases in Chagos archipelago, in the despotic sultanates of west Asia, Iraq, Afghanistan, central Asia etc.,
As is normal in every sphere of our national life , lacking a systematic programme of action, we occasionally engage in our desultory efforts to influence our neighbours and win friends among our surruonding countries while USA and China focus their efforts with laser beam precision.
china increased prosperity has shown the world the new kind of
aggressiveness in persuasion of own national interest. the entire world
need to show the caution dealing the china. china is both threat and
the opportunity for india only strong economic development can counter
the threat posed by china
Excellent article!!.. Taking a cue from the 'Kankesenthurai Project', isn't it a general tendency of we Indians to procrastinate things? This is very much evident in 'CWG incidents' as well. Unless we shake ourselves up and meet the world eye to eye, we will forever be treated as foot boards and carpets..
To support neighbours & get them on our side, we need to focus on good administrative and avoid corruption & quick political decision on any matter. In current situation, we need to brought down all illegal money from Swiss bank and use for internal & external development on Infra, poverty plan for BPL, avoid free scheme which is announced by state government etc.
Rightly said. India always portray itself as lack of determination and aggressiveness. Though our politicians practice saying 'keenly watching so and so'.Though everybody posing India as emerging economy and super power, It seems India started to live in the dreams, keeping the reality aside. Poor CMG management and marketing, inability to show the military and techno powers, apathy in caring neighbors are taking away India's image other-side. Only Pro-activeness, Aggressiveness and determination in India's policy will show the signs of change in growth in all terms and attributes.Internal affairs too.
Even though some efforts have to be appreciated, but the speed that we are working is terribly slow, China on the other hand does it within a short span of time, as pointed in this article we are taking one year to complete feasibility study and another one year to complete the basic formalities, and after that the things will start to happen and it will take another 5 or 10 years to complete the project depending upon the magnitude. Instead of viewing China as a enemy and living in complete fear whether they will strike or not, Time has to come act swiftly, There are plenty of opportunities for India, all the countries that borders India really expect more from India rather than China, but we are keeping silence and failed to understand their wishes then only they are looking for some other greener pastures. Apart from defense related issues, it will bring more employment, more business to Indian companies. We have to cross the bridge.
Intersting and well drafted article. China's geo-political tactics is impressive, hope they are doing all this for commercial benefits. India has also emerged as an soft power in the region. Although a slow starter India has done well in afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri lanka. Keeping the conflicted issues in a freeze, India should quite often engage with China bilaterally before there strehch and extent becames too deep and wide.
By going through the writings it is very clear that instead of saying it is Fear factor it should be atttibuted to the lethargic political attitudes of delaying projects as we do in our own country. This same attitude towards development projects in neighbouring countries will definitely cause loss of goodwill, business prospects and mega projects too.
it's is still not too late for india to reconsider its policy and start think diplomatically while taking issues with china. we all know china is keenly intrested in becoming powerhouse of asia, in this path india is the only competitor so as a clever trick china is aiding and abetting pakistan in this front so that india got ingaged & china can easily follow is path.
we should accept the stark reality that dragon is far beyond the elephant.china's eagerness is now uncontrollable earlier it was only territorial dispute but now it has added a new dimension of trade dispute and natural resources available in ocean are now the hot issue.
Thank you for a well balanced article. India has only its incompetent government to blame. And it reflects badly on the competent Private Sector. China is a 100 pound gorilla with the attitude of a five year bully. They are extremely smart in provoking not only India, but the US as well. Our response to China has to be structured in keeping this in mind. While China woos countries with "hard power", India can respond with "soft" power. After all, money spent is money spent. Goodwill is longer lasting.
The first thing that encircles India is the communal mindset of the ruling class that is the basis for the term "Hindutva".Nehru tried to break out of it but failed.Those after him capitulated.
The second thing encircling India is injustice towards its own people.Hundreds of millions of starving deprived people can not be labelled with this or that epithet like Maoists or Naxalites.
The third thing encircling India is the constant nibbling by right wing idealogues (Call them RSS orRSS minded or Jansanghi) at its federal structure.they seem to outcompete their counterparts in Pakistan in every negative area and the tragedy is that they have equally succeeded.
With friends like these who needs enemies.India is encircled by the mindset of its rulers, I mean, the babus, the secretaries,the petty officers,the advisors,the Rasputins of all colors and shades- not the totem poles at New Delhi. Unfortunately today we have only vandals and not leaders.Advani and Modi are the Prime Ministers in waiting.
What India needs is Justice. Having that it need fear no one.
China and India should be friends, One has to understand that China and Pakistan are used as tools against india, But the reality is China and India can be the best friends ever between any two nations in the world because of their religious connections and the beliefs be it buddha (who was a indian) or be it kailash which is in china, to be frank both countries should drop their egos and wrong views of perfection, Go for real perfection by improving the past bonds like the one started from buddha. Establishment of Nalanda could be one of the best.
India's walkover to china;
The commentary seems more of a satire on Indiia's foreign policy visa vis china.How can india even afford to befriend neighbours when her own house been never in order? Chinese had focussed on internal developement first and then moved out after 1970s in a big way. India remains one of the poorest countries, filthy, lacking in even basic amenities for common man such as food,safe water,same level education,and health care for all;India pushes to be recognized as superpower while thousands defecates by the rail tracks every morning and several thousands farmers commits suicides and thousands of brides are burnt every year.Kashmir issue has clearly bled india which certainly helps to scare " hindu nationalist types" with the dread of " muslim's return" to dominate india again.For average hindu freedom in 1947 had meant both from british as well as from long muslim domination.India loves non violence because of its poverty as it cannot afford to be aggressive; Just imagine in an all out war India can easily win pakistan but it does not want to take over another 200 million muslims and cease to be " hindu nation".It cannot afford also to have peace of heart with Pakistan because of same out come " potential of muslims domination again". China on the other hand now has left India way behind and will dominate this century pretty much backed by USA to which its economy is well integrated.India is nowwhere in this game and cannot even dream to compete with china.India needs to fix itself in this century specially its philosphy of " caste system", a major cause all the ills that we see in the entire south asia including muslim pakistan.
It is not only fear of being encircled by China and our own inefficient and lethargic way of completion of projects aided and abetted by a high dose of corruption at all levels that will do us greater harm than he “China factor’. Haidar has told us timely and appropriately a few little known facts in our trade relations with Sri Lanka. Yes, an alarmist view is of little help; at the same time smugness is also to be shunned. China has $2.5 trillions of foreign reserves. The other day, a former Chinese diplomat was proudly writing in an article in a London newspaper as to how 35 years ago in an earlier assignment in African country , he witnessed China laying a 1860km railway line employing about 52000 Chinese workers. At that time we should remember we were a foreign exchange starved nation. Even now, we are way behind them not only in a more robust economic development, but in our determination to compete seriously with the global bidders and get project assignments and execute them on time. We should not also forget that thirty years ago, our earlier governments set up government owned company of eminent engineers who were capable of putting up any plant in any field anywhere. That importance given to the public sector assets have been neglected even as the private sector has not been able to hold its own even with all the concessions and subsidies given to them. They are an underperforming one, frankly often rightly as crony capitalists. Take another example, that of our railway minister. She fails to act in her assigned field of railway development with her energies and attention devoted elsewhere. The Chinese railways have not only built the Beijing-Lhasa railway line, is now contemplating seriously a rail line from Berlin-Belgrade-Istanbul –Urumqui- Beijing rail link with the cooperation of Istanbul and the former Eastern countries. Even as we are struggling to improve and strengthen our rail net work they have created their own brand of high-speed trains capable of cruising at 380km per hour, connecting Beijing and Shanghai driving the western bidders to the ignominious position of having to partner with them for seeking similar contracts elsewhere in the world in cooperation with the Chinese rail engineers. Instances can be multiplied in our not being able to perform as quickly, swiftly and effectively as Chinese. The fault is not with our works, engineers or the systems and structures. Sadly, we have vision less ministers, lacklustre civil servants and a greedy private sector solely intent on mailing unmerited profits and not on delivering services on time and competitively and efficiently. For them the tenet of corporate social responsibility rests upto the seminar room circuits, it looks. To sum up, our government and private sector will need to slog a lot for two or more decades with accelerated development plans curing and eliminating the malaise of corruption and slackness. The real foreign policy of the government rests therefore not merely with our Foreign office but in our industries, commerce and trade and finance ministries too. Their views need to be taken by the foreign office.
Russia and Japan will going to be joining NATO soon enough. As for India, I totally agree that preparedness and vision are totally lacking. IMO, complaining about the denial of visa to a general is irrelevant. If India indeed considers Kashmir as an integral part of India which it has done so far, India should complain the China and the UN to ask China to immediately withdraw any troops from Gilgit. No two ways about it.
Secondly, while India continues an economic partnership with China, militarily it should proactively look towards working with NATO in forming a Southern NATO along with South Africa, Australia, ASEAN, at al. The Indian Ocean Region is not a 'free for all' zone as the Chinese would like it to be.
India is increasingly being seen as an enemy of its neighbors. Conflict with Pakistan are well known and rooted in the partition of the country, however, they have expanded because of India's highhandedness in Siachen.
China is very skeptical of new axis between Japan-USA and India. China will never tolerate Japan at its borders in collusion with India. USA is increasingly becoming a China adversary because of increasing clout of China is seen as a challenge to the lone super power. India is openly siding with USA to thwart China.
Iran is increasingly leery of India's intentions. India is the largest buyer of Israel's Military Equipment. India has shown willingness to give airspace and bases to Israel/USA if they wish to launch an attack against Iran. India always opposes Iran at IAEA.
India is an ardent supporter of continuous occupation of Afghanistan by USA/NATO. a majority of Afghans want the foreign troops to leave, however India is against the wishes of the Afghan People.
India has economic and border disputes with Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka.
Does India have a friend in the neighborhood?
Indian policies are more and more being dictated by Washington, Tel-Aviv and Tokyo. They are inimical to the well being and security of South Asia. China, Pakistan and Iran clearly see India as an enemy.
I think we've lived too long on assumptions that close cultural ties with our neighbours will not promote India being encircled. Our neighbours want aid and relief during distress which China is comfortably accomodating. We must not consider it as a fear but a wake up call to ready our forces for an impending combat.
You have really made very significant and rational assessment regarding Indian attitude towards China. I am surprised at the notion that we think China's rapid progress would imperil India's own chances of development and progress as if China is fearful of India! Second, Our preoccupation with China with regard to Boundary issues also shows our own frailties as it goes on to imply India's unnecessary concerns with military might of China as if China is harbouring Indian invasion aspirations. Third and most pertinent is That Indian propensity of looking at every thing with ultra cautious appropach needs to be dispensed with as it hinders open and rational thinking.
I think it is naive to not be fearful of China's interests in South Asia. If one were to look at China's aggressive postures in the South Japan sea, and elsewhere, it is as clear as daylight to even a layperson what China's intentions for India are. In this regard, I find it odd that Mr. Haidar and other articles published in this website indicate at the contrary. One thing that India will benefit most is if it will look at history and not trust the Chinese intentions at all unless it can be very clearly proven.
While complimenting Suhasini Haidar for her well written article on India's perceptions about China, I should like to add a few points. A fundamental problem with us has been the absence of a pragmatic foreign policy as an instrument of Statecraft right from Nehru's days whose concept of this vital instrument was "India is the keeper of the world's conscience and has the right to criticise any country but no one should dare to criticise India." While Pakistan has crafted a praiseworthy standing by befriending its neighbours, we have fought with every one.
If we really mean business in International Relations, we should go all out to fructify an earlier initiative of establishing a Russia-China-India triad and subsequently induct Myanmar, Pakistan, the remaining members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and any other nation keen to join up. This Eurasian Bloc will become an influential global power centre as well as be the platform for India to resolve its border issue with China as well as other issues as pertinent. The Bloc could also help in resolving our problems with Pakistan. Our inviting Myanmar's head of government Than Shwe has been a step in the right direction. We desperately need a forward thinking and younger Foreign Minister who would be able to act independently and not parrot Nehru's extinct self deceiving positing.
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