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India can follow a five point strategy to counter this:
*Actively cooperating with saarc countries,holding frequent summits and support in the development of the neighboring countries- Gujaral doctrine.The recent land boundary agreement and maritime dispute resolution with Bangladesh is a positive step in this direction, apart from this India need to invest in the development of war torn areas of Sri lanka- Housing,railway and power- sampur power project and also developing eastern coast- trinco belt, this could be beneficial to counter string of pearls as well as trade of oil to south eastern countries.
*Bimstec, is another move in the right direction, India need to develop strategic and economic partnership with south Asian countries too to minimize the negative effects of string of pearls.
*Project mausam to boost cultural ties with Indian ocean nations with help of ancient civilizational ties would also be helpful in countering this Chinese initiative.
*Actively engaging with Indian ocean rim association for regional cooperation is also imperative not only to counter the string of pearls,but the growing threats posed by rising terrorism and piracy also.With support from these countries, India can tackle these threats and thus reducing smuggling,piracy,trafficking and terrorism in the region which in turn would help in maintain peace and tranquility in the region.
*Developing chahbahar port and inking trade partnership with iran is also necessary to ensure energy security- which might be under threat due to string of pearls and also providing India a gateway to middle east and Afghanistan to boost trade and reconstruction work in Afghanistan.
Thus by following this strategy, India is stand to gain long term benefits by countering string of pearls, maintaining balance of power and emerging as a regional leader.
India can follow a five point strategy to counter this:
*Actively cooperating with saarc countries,holding frequent summits and support in the development of the neighboring countries- Gujaral doctrine.The recent land boundary agreement and maritime dispute resolution with Bangladesh is a positive step in this direction, apart from this India need to invest in the development of war torn areas of Sri lanka- Housing,railway and power- sampur power project and also developing eastern coast- trinco belt, this could be beneficial to counter string of pearls as well as trade of oil to south eastern countries.
*Bimstec, is another move in the right direction, India need to develop strategic and economic partnership with south Asian countries too to minimize the negative effects of string of pearls.
*Project mausam to boost cultural ties with Indian ocean nations with help of ancient civilizational ties would also be helpful in countering this Chinese initiative.
*Actively engaging with Indian ocean rim association for regional cooperation is also imperative not only to counter the string of pearls,but the growing threats posed by rising terrorism and piracy also.With support from these countries, India can tackle these threats and thus reducing smuggling,piracy,trafficking and terrorism in the region which in turn would help in maintain peace and tranquility in the region.
*Developing chahbahar port and inking trade partnership with iran is also necessary to ensure energy security- which might be under threat due to string of pearls and also providing India a gateway to middle east and Afghanistan to boost trade and reconstruction work in Afghanistan.
Thus by following this strategy, India is stand to gain long term benefits by countering string of pearls, maintaining balance of power and emerging as a regional leader.
In addition to the beautiful points by @rattlesnake
India must do the following to counter China's string of pearls :-
(1) Use South China Sea as a trump card & bargaining chip :- It must be made clear to China that any attempt to threaten or increase naval presence in the Indian Ocean, will be met with a disproportionate activity of India's allies in the South China Sea.
(2) India must constantly engage with ASEAN & outside through bilateral forums to take Japan, Philippines, Vietnam & the United States on board and influence them on their activities in the South China Sea. While, we do want International waters to be free of confrontations, being sensitive about China's concerns in SCS, may work in India's own interests in Indian Ocean. Therefore, an increased USA & Japan naval patrolling on the Chinese sea's will make China retaliate in the same way in the coast of USA & Japan 20 years later, when it becomes number one. India can better advice USA to be more sensitive in dealing with China. How China behaves as number one in the world, will be determined by how USA itself behaves as number one.
(3) Increase presence beyond the traditional Indian Ocean littoral and extend it to smaller island states like Seychelles, Mauritius ( I believe PM Modi is already doing this ) Although small in territorial size, their EEZ sometimes extends to millions of sq Kms.
(4) Use R&AW to influence public opinion in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives. We have a pro India regime in two of them. But, the policies of our neighbours have always been one of concern. Here, the dysfunctional SAARC may not be of much help due to the presence of Pakistan, which will thwart any attempts at consensus on Indian ocean & oceanic trade.
(5) Be cunning . Be the lover that keeps both China & USA guessing. Ensure that India grows closer to USA as China keep emerging in the next decade. The closer we are to the West, the more uncomfortable China would get and want to please us. Similarly, the more the courtship of the US continues, the more India should get closer to China.If USA perceives India to be closer to China, it will woo India & support India's own activities and ambitions in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
(6) Build better working relationship with China in many issues where both countries have common interests, for ex:- Global Warming, Climate Change etc. We have overlapping interests in trade and economic emergence of Asia. These measures will slowly ease tensions in other issues and help build better mutual trust.
(7) Understand China's ambition. China is not in an ideological war with USA. It is not trying to establish the supremacy of Communism like the erstwhile Soviet Union. It's only aim is to revive its own civilization and come back into the world scene as a superpower - Xi Jingping captured this beautifully in a talk he delivered recently.
India must therefore, make China understand that our own interest, is not mutually exclusive with China's for ; for 1800 years from ( 1 AD to 1800 AD ) China and India together dominated the world'd economic scenario, before the West & Europe took off. It should be made amply clear to China that India's own revival together with, China's is not a zero sum game This would reduce military tensions, and propel better relations on the border and diffuse issues like the " string of pearls " in the Indian Ocean.
In addition to the beautiful points by @rattlesnake
India must do the following to counter China's string of pearls :-
(1) Use South China Sea as a trump card & bargaining chip :- It must be made clear to China that any attempt to threaten or increase naval presence in the Indian Ocean, will be met with a disproportionate activity of India's allies in the South China Sea.
(2) India must constantly engage with ASEAN & outside through bilateral forums to take Japan, Philippines, Vietnam & the United States on board and influence them on their activities in the South China Sea. While, we do want International waters to be free of confrontations, being sensitive about China's concerns in SCS, may work in India's own interests in Indian Ocean. Therefore, an increased USA & Japan naval patrolling on the Chinese sea's will make China retaliate in the same way in the coast of USA & Japan 20 years later, when it becomes number one. India can better advice USA to be more sensitive in dealing with China. How China behaves as number one in the world, will be determined by how USA itself behaves as number one.
(3) Increase presence beyond the traditional Indian Ocean littoral and extend it to smaller island states like Seychelles, Mauritius ( I believe PM Modi is already doing this ) Although small in territorial size, their EEZ sometimes extends to millions of sq Kms.
(4) Use R&AW to influence public opinion in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives. We have a pro India regime in two of them. But, the policies of our neighbours have always been one of concern. Here, the dysfunctional SAARC may not be of much help due to the presence of Pakistan, which will thwart any attempts at consensus on Indian ocean & oceanic trade.
(5) Be cunning . Be the lover that keeps both China & USA guessing. Ensure that India grows closer to USA as China keep emerging in the next decade. The closer we are to the West, the more uncomfortable China would get and want to please us. Similarly, the more the courtship of the US continues, the more India should get closer to China.If USA perceives India to be closer to China, it will woo India & support India's own activities and ambitions in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
(6) Build better working relationship with China in many issues where both countries have common interests, for ex:- Global Warming, Climate Change etc. We have overlapping interests in trade and economic emergence of Asia. These measures will slowly ease tensions in other issues and help build better mutual trust.
(7) Understand China's ambition. China is not in an ideological war with USA. It is not trying to establish the supremacy of Communism like the erstwhile Soviet Union. It's only aim is to revive its own civilization and come back into the world scene as a superpower - Xi Jingping captured this beautifully in a talk he delivered recently.
India must therefore, make China understand that our own interest, is not mutually exclusive with China's for ; for 1800 years from ( 1 AD to 1800 AD ) China and India together dominated the world'd economic scenario, before the West & Europe took off. It should be made amply clear to China that India's own revival together with, China's is not a zero sum game This would reduce military tensions, and propel better relations on the border and diffuse issues like the " string of pearls " in the Indian Ocean.
Should India incline and form ally with China? Argument in favour could be "thy should love your neighbour". Going with USA will create cold war between India and China. Another argument could be that in future two front can emerge "Russia and China" Vs "USA and India" We don't want that. If we go with China then no fear around us. Possible in current scenario?
@Himalaya Singh That's what I tried to capture in the last paragraph. It is possible to have good relationships with both of them without being perceived as a threat to the other. If India and China can together coexist as great economic powers for nearly 2 millennium, why not more? It's all about building trust, with China.
As for USA, we have overlapping interests in so many areas.We are two of the world's biggest and successful democracies. The end of the West's domination in the world's geopolitics, is not the end of the west. USA will continue to remain an important power, which needs India as much as India needs USA. Indo - US & Indo - China relationships can exist together strongly, without being mutually exclusive.
@Himalaya Singh Please categorise all your question threads under the 'Issue Debates' category. I've been requesting this for some time now. Please see into it.
Hi @Etat , I was searching for the option "Issue Debate" when creating discussion but I did not find. I felt only mods do it right now. please let me how to create one.
Hi @Etat , I was searching for the option "Issue Debate" when creating discussion but I did not find. I felt only mods do it right now. please let me how to create one.
It's the top most option in the drop-down list of categories.
Hi @Etat , I was searching for the option "Issue Debate" when creating discussion but I did not find. I felt only mods do it right now. please let me how to create one.
It's the top most option in the drop-down list of categories.
We are a secret self-moderated community for Civil Services preparation. Feel free to join, start a discussion, answer a question or just to say Thank you.Just dont spread the word ;)Sign in or join with Facebook or Google
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Comments
*Actively cooperating with saarc countries,holding frequent summits and support in the development of the neighboring countries- Gujaral doctrine.The recent land boundary agreement and maritime dispute resolution with Bangladesh is a positive step in this direction, apart from this India need to invest in the development of war torn areas of Sri lanka- Housing,railway and power- sampur power project and also developing eastern coast- trinco belt, this could be beneficial to counter string of pearls as well as trade of oil to south eastern countries.
*Bimstec, is another move in the right direction, India need to develop strategic and economic partnership with south Asian countries too to minimize the negative effects of string of pearls.
*Project mausam to boost cultural ties with Indian ocean nations with help of ancient civilizational ties would also be helpful in countering this Chinese initiative.
*Actively engaging with Indian ocean rim association for regional cooperation is also imperative not only to counter the string of pearls,but the growing threats posed by rising terrorism and piracy also.With support from these countries, India can tackle these threats and thus reducing smuggling,piracy,trafficking and terrorism in the region which in turn would help in maintain peace and tranquility in the region.
*Developing chahbahar port and inking trade partnership with iran is also necessary to ensure energy security- which might be under threat due to string of pearls and also providing India a gateway to middle east and Afghanistan to boost trade and reconstruction work in Afghanistan.
Thus by following this strategy, India is stand to gain long term benefits by countering string of pearls, maintaining balance of power and emerging as a regional leader.
*Actively cooperating with saarc countries,holding frequent summits and support in the development of the neighboring countries- Gujaral doctrine.The recent land boundary agreement and maritime dispute resolution with Bangladesh is a positive step in this direction, apart from this India need to invest in the development of war torn areas of Sri lanka- Housing,railway and power- sampur power project and also developing eastern coast- trinco belt, this could be beneficial to counter string of pearls as well as trade of oil to south eastern countries.
*Bimstec, is another move in the right direction, India need to develop strategic and economic partnership with south Asian countries too to minimize the negative effects of string of pearls.
*Project mausam to boost cultural ties with Indian ocean nations with help of ancient civilizational ties would also be helpful in countering this Chinese initiative.
*Actively engaging with Indian ocean rim association for regional cooperation is also imperative not only to counter the string of pearls,but the growing threats posed by rising terrorism and piracy also.With support from these countries, India can tackle these threats and thus reducing smuggling,piracy,trafficking and terrorism in the region which in turn would help in maintain peace and tranquility in the region.
*Developing chahbahar port and inking trade partnership with iran is also necessary to ensure energy security- which might be under threat due to string of pearls and also providing India a gateway to middle east and Afghanistan to boost trade and reconstruction work in Afghanistan.
Thus by following this strategy, India is stand to gain long term benefits by countering string of pearls, maintaining balance of power and emerging as a regional leader.
India must do the following to counter China's string of pearls :-
(1) Use South China Sea as a trump card & bargaining chip :- It must be made clear to China that any attempt to threaten or increase naval presence in the Indian Ocean, will be met with a disproportionate activity of India's allies in the South China Sea.
(2) India must constantly engage with ASEAN & outside through bilateral forums to take Japan, Philippines, Vietnam & the United States on board and influence them on their activities in the South China Sea.
While, we do want International waters to be free of confrontations, being sensitive about China's concerns in SCS, may work in India's own interests in Indian Ocean. Therefore, an increased USA & Japan naval patrolling on the Chinese sea's will make China retaliate in the same way in the coast of USA & Japan 20 years later, when it becomes number one. India can better advice USA to be more sensitive in dealing with China. How China behaves as number one in the world, will be determined by how USA itself behaves as number one.
(3) Increase presence beyond the traditional Indian Ocean littoral and extend it to smaller island states like Seychelles, Mauritius ( I believe PM Modi is already doing this ) Although small in territorial size, their EEZ sometimes extends to millions of sq Kms.
(4) Use R&AW to influence public opinion in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives. We have a pro India regime in two of them. But, the policies of our neighbours have always been one of concern. Here, the dysfunctional SAARC may not be of much help due to the presence of Pakistan, which will thwart any attempts at consensus on Indian ocean & oceanic trade.
(5) Be cunning . Be the lover that keeps both China & USA guessing. Ensure that India grows closer to USA as China keep emerging in the next decade. The closer we are to the West, the more uncomfortable China would get and want to please us. Similarly, the more the courtship of the US continues, the more India should get closer to China.If USA perceives India to be closer to China, it will woo India & support India's own activities and ambitions in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
(6) Build better working relationship with China in many issues where both countries have common interests, for ex:- Global Warming, Climate Change etc. We have overlapping interests in trade and economic emergence of Asia. These measures will slowly ease tensions in other issues and help build better mutual trust.
(7) Understand China's ambition. China is not in an ideological war with USA. It is not trying to establish the supremacy of Communism like the erstwhile Soviet Union. It's only aim is to revive its own civilization and come back into the world scene as a superpower - Xi Jingping captured this beautifully in a talk he delivered recently.
India must therefore, make China understand that our own interest, is not mutually exclusive with China's for ; for 1800 years from ( 1 AD to 1800 AD ) China and India together dominated the world'd economic scenario, before the West & Europe took off. It should be made amply clear to China that India's own revival together with, China's is not a zero sum game
This would reduce military tensions, and propel better relations on the border and diffuse issues like the " string of pearls " in the Indian Ocean.
Another argument could be that in future two front can emerge "Russia and China" Vs "USA and India"
We don't want that.
If we go with China then no fear around us. Possible in current scenario?
As for USA, we have overlapping interests in so many areas.We are two of the world's biggest and successful democracies. The end of the West's domination in the world's geopolitics, is not the end of the west. USA will continue to remain an important power, which needs India as much as India needs USA. Indo - US & Indo - China relationships can exist together strongly, without being mutually exclusive.