The Indo-China relations : everything you need to know

Whenever we talk about the foreign policy of India, the relations of India with China and Pakistan take the first place in our mind. We hear news from time to time about the MoUs and deals regarding the trade with these nations. But besides that, the Indo-China relations are always been in the headlines due to the territorial disputes. Also, all of us are aware of events such as the Doklam standoff of 2017. So, let us see the issues and disputes between the two nations.

The disputes

The major bone of contention between the two contries is Tibet and Dalai Lama. Although we can't say that Tibet was a issue, it is solely related to Dalai Lama. China has always critisized India for sheltering Dalai Lama. And most importantly, the Aksai Chin and Arunanchal Pradesh both regions are claimed by both the countries. Although China controls the former and India the latter.

String of pearls

Also one fast emerging issue is the Chinese strategy ' string of pearls'. China is trying to cover India in the Indian Ocean by making its Naval bases with the countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and so on.

Water security of India

One of the major concerns is the water security. This is because China controls the source of Brahmaputra river, Indus river and the Sutlej river. If China want to alter any of the systems, it is going to affect India in a great way as a major part of the population is dependent on these rivers. However, he cannot do so due to the presence of international organisations who will interfere in such scenarios.

Anti China policy of US

Looking from China's point of view, the US wants to encircle China. As China is growing rapidly as a superpower, US wants to balance that and India is a vital part of this encirclement. China wants to convince India that "containing the rise of China" is not as nice as the alternative "rising with China".

The Doklam Military Standoff in 2017

On June 16, 2017, the Chinese brought heavy road building equipment to the Doka La region and began constructing a road in the disputed area. This is the region which India and Bhutan claim to be disputed. So, India intervened and it resulted in a military standoff between the two nations.

Sikkim

The Nathu La and Cho La clashes were a series of military clashes in 1967 between India and China alongside the border of the Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim. This was due to China's belief of rejecting the Sikkim's will of joining India in 1975. But later, China had to withdraw its military from the region. Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said in 2005 that "Sikkim is no longer the problem between China and India."

The bilateral trade between the two nations is as high as $84 billion yearly and even more. So, India is equally important for China as well. Healthy relations between the two nations are crucial for them, stability in Asia and the world also.

This was all about Indo-China which is going to help you in the GD and lecturette in SSB.