Recent developments show that despite differences — and last year's military standoff at Doklam — both countries have taken steps to strengthen ties
China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean region has caused concern in New Delhi and necessitated an Indo-Pacific strategy between friendly nations to keep it in check. But India has been striking a fine balance with China. Recent developments show that despite differences — and last year's military standoff at Doklam — both countries have taken steps to strengthen ties.
Peter Varghese, who retired as the secretary in Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2016, spoke to DNA in an exclusive interview recently about how the coming together of India, Australia, Japan and the US — dubbed the Quad — as a counter to Chinese clout is still in its nascent stage. India has made it clear that Quad is not against any particular country.
He said the Quad would be a core element of balance on the Indo-Pacific region. "I don't expect it to develop into a group quickly. It will take careful steps," he said, adding, "This is not an alliance because India is not interested in an alliance with anyone. India wants to preserve its strategic flexibility and does not want its room for manoeuvre constrained by any alliance."
Chinese-state owned Global Times stated in a recent editorial that the Indo-Pacific strategy would lead to an increased presence of the US and Japan in Indian Ocean, threatening India's position in the region. It also contended that it would be detrimental to India's economy.
Former National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon has pointed out the need for both India and China to keep sea lanes free since both are trading nations. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea between several countries have only affirmed that freedom of navigation in the region is of immense importance from India's trading point of view.
India has been giving a push to its maritime diplomacy to counter China's forays in the Indian Ocean Region. China's control of ports in Djibouti, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Sitwe in Myanmar is a matter of concern for India. With an eye on increasing presence of Chinese navy vessels and submarines in the Indian Ocean Region, Indian Navy is looking at maritime intelligence and cooperation with friendly countries. Last year, chiefs of navies of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Maldives, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand met for a three-day brainstorming session in Goa.
But recent developments are a clear indicator that Indo-Chinese relations are back on track. Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a visiting Chinese delegation led by their defence minister on Tuesday that as mature nations, India and China know how to deal with differences before they turn into disputes.
Better communication between the two nations' militaries, including a hotline facility between military headquarters, is high on the agenda of both countries.
Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Wuhan in April for an informal summit to discuss ways to bolster ties between the two nations. Following the visit, strategic guidelines were given to the armies of both countries which were aimed at de-escalating tension after the Doklam face-off.
STRATEGIC BALANCE
- India has been giving a push to its maritime diplomacy to counter China’s forays in the Indian Ocean Region. But recent developments indicate that Indo-Chinese relations are back on track.
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