Examining the souring relationship between China and India, including conflicting narratives, new tariffs, crackdown on Chinese tech companies, expulsion of journalists, and militarization of the border. China perceives India as aligning with the West. Tensions arise from border infrastructure and territorial claims. India's loyalty to its ties with Russia and Western powers making grand announcements but taking little action are also discussed.
The informal meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit raised hopes, but tensions resurfaced when Chinese statements implied that the meeting was at India's request, triggering backlash from the Indian opposition.
China's release of a new map depicting disputed border lines with India further escalated tensions and caused anger not only in India but also among other Southeast Asian countries.
The strained relationship between India and China highlights the increasing competition for leadership in the global south, as both countries position themselves as natural centers for engagement with the global north.
Deep dives
Tensions between India and China at BRICS summit
During the BRICS summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had an informal meeting, which was not publicly recognized until after the summit. This meeting was seen as a sign of progress in their strained relationship, but tensions resurfaced when Chinese statements implied that the meeting was at India's request, triggering backlash from the Indian opposition.
Map dispute further escalates tensions
China's release of a new map, which infuriated India, sparked further escalation in tensions. The map depicted controversial border lines between China and India, exacerbating territorial disputes between the two countries and causing anger not only in India but also among other Southeast Asian countries.
Bilateral relations worsen with tariffs and militarization
In addition to the map dispute, India imposed new tariffs on Chinese steel imports, reflecting the growing frustration with China. The deterioration in bilateral relations has also been marked by the expulsion of journalists, efforts to militarize border positions, and a year-long crackdown on Chinese tech companies.
Implications for the BRICS and global south leadership
The strained relationship between India and China raises concerns about the future of the BRICS and its ability to challenge Western-led organizations. The leadership competition between China and India for the global south has become more intense, with both countries positioning themselves as natural centers for global south engagement with the global north.
Challenges and uncertainties of the India Middle East European Corridor
The India Middle East European Corridor, a major infrastructure initiative spanning across multiple continents, faces challenges in implementation due to its complexity and uncertainties. The ability to coordinate such a large-scale project, secure financing, and overcome political obstacles remains uncertain, making the prospects of its success questionable.
There was a glimmer of hope last month that China and India would pull back from their increasingly contentious standoff when military commanders concluded talks along their disputed border on a somewhat optimistic note. The hope was that these talks would pave the way for leaders from both countries to meet while they were together at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did meet briefly in South Africa but it did nothing to stall the downward spiral in relations between the two Asian powers.
Ananth Krishnan, an associate editor at The Hindu newspaper in New Delhi and one of the foremost experts on Sino-Indian relations, joins Eric & Cobus to explain why ties have soured so badly and what to expect going forward.
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