India is facing challenge of China’s aggressive stance but this challenge has also provided India an opportunity to strengthen itself internationally and domestically. Discuss.

The relation of China-India is indeed a peculiar one; though sharing interactions for over 3000 years, we know little about each other & this can be attributed to the present misgivings.

Pinch Points with China:

• Occupied region of Aksai-Chin & Shaksgham glacier.
• Border issues in Himachal Pradesh.
• Clash in Arunachal Pradesh & issue of stapled visa.
• Human rights violation in Tibet, Taiwan & Hongkong.
• Incarceration of Uyghur muslims in Xinjiang province.
• Bids to foil India’s efforts to designate Lakhvi & Masood Azhar as international terrorists.
• Aggressive stance in the IOR (strings of pearls).
• China’s BRI & use of debt-trap diplomacy. Also, CPEC and Hambantota port in Sri Lanka.
• Inciting neighbours such as Nepal to take on India. Even Bhutan followed a soft-glove approach in Doklam stand-off.
• Opposition to UNSC reforms, IPR issues & disregard for trade laws.

Opportunities for India:

• India acting as a net security provider in IOR via SAGAR initiative.
• QUAD grouping of Australia, India, Japan & USA for naval & maritime security.
• Sri Lanka still a firm ally of India.
• Blue-Dot network to counter China’s policies.
• Black listing of Pakistan by FATF despite China opposing the move.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat & reduction of China imports.

Way forward:

India must utilize the opportunity to strengthen itself only then power balance can happen and peace can prevail in the region.