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CHAPTER – VII

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

After doing an extensive study of an issue, one is left with some opinions which

keep surfacing from time to time. The negative and hostile spirit that got assimilated

into the bilateral relations between India and China is often shown to have

transformed into some eternal problem. It is but a natural condition between any two

countries, especially when thrown so close geographically. The growing naval

strength of China is prompting India to strengthen her own military preparedness

which is again natural for any sovereign state, for ensuring her security. In this

context, the two nations are today expected by the rest of the world to rise to the

occasion, and act like two sensible members of the world and contribute their part for

regional peace, stability, security and balance of power. To address the above, it is

imperative that a thorough understanding of the broad areas of concern for India is

evolved so that the same can be addressed in a rational manner. The researcher

considers the broad areas of concern for India as:

1. Bilateral relations between the two countries

2. Increased modernisation of PLAN

3. Increasing presence of China in the IOR

4. Increasing use of soft power by China on the neighbouring countries

5. Growing economic influence of China globally

6. China’s opposition to India’s aspirations of acquiring a permanent seat in the

security council of UN

In order to have a pragmatic and a well-informed approach towards the various

issues concerning India and possible initiatives and measures that could be taken to

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address these concerns, the Researcher has sent a Questionnaire (enclosed at

Appendix – A) to experts in India and abroad and responses have been received from

some of them. Brief profiles of the respondents and their responses are enclosed at

Appendix – B and Appendix – C.

To address the above concerns, the researcher put forth few recommendations

for the consideration of our policy makers duly taking into consideration the various

aspects brought out in the thesis and the responses received from the experts. While

proposing the above, the researcher understands that each of these recommendations

would impact one or more concerns listed above.

Policy recommendations are required to improve bilateral relations with China,

to ensure her own safety while gaining more influence globally through economic

and other means.

Improving Bilateral Relations

Improving bilateral relations between the two countries is of prime

importance. This would have multiple positive outcomes. This would not only bring

down the tensions between the two countries but also would pave way for taking up

of activities of mutual interest.

Referring to the 1962 war any more in a negative sense should be stopped. War

brings no prosperity to either party. It can be just relegated to the position of an

unfortunate part of history and arrive at a new consensus.

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The following aspects can be considered for improving the bilateral relations

between the two countries

India needs to become more assertive while dealing with bilateral issues and

has to make her stand heard loud and clear. To develop this assertiveness,

Indian political leadership should have complete clarity on the issues under

discussion and come up with a strategic vision to deal with China.

The disputed areas between the two countries can be developed as free

economic zones, pending resolution of the disputes. In the meantime, both the

countries should continue the dialogue on arriving at possible solutions to the

border disputes.

India’s policies should match, if not supersede, the strength of China’s policies.

Notwithstanding the possibility of direct application, China’s policies emerge

from the basic principle of preservation of territorial integrity. Though a

communist ruled country, state machinery is very strong in China. India, on her

part, should free herself from hassles of the disadvantages of the multi-party

system. Irrespective of which party or which coalition rules the centre, it is

imperative that it brings out a ‘common’ India policy of China.

India needs to strike a balance between fostering friendly relations with US to

the extent that it acts as a deterrent to China, and being too aggressive in such

move, to be perceived by China as a threat to her interests.

India should pursue her bilateral relations with China on various issues of

mutual interest while keeping the border issues in the background – just for

keeping the issue alive for records. It is needless to mention that resolving

border disputes is a complex issue since no country would like to concede any

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part of the land to the other apprehending political backlash from their own

people and loss of public support.

Confidence Building Measures

India should take up various Confidence Building Measures to promote trust and

eventually regional peace and security.

Internally both countries can advise the media to minimise discussions about

the 1962 war.

A regional military system in the lines of an inter-state military system can be

established. Its support functions can include verification, contacts, channel of

communications and a forum for expressing a wide range of ideas. Sub-

regional mechanisms and organisations can also be established.

Unless and until the contentious issues are settled, CBMs dealing with troop

movements and exercises would not be successful. So in the disputed areas, a

‘time-frame’ based agreement can be made about deployment of forces during

which period the talks over disputed borders would be continued.

Apart from implementing specific measures like having numerous rounds of

border talks, policy makers can focus on developing a comprehensive

mechanism of recognising a security relationship. The second step should be

the implementation of such actions particularly designed for improving the

relations, such as interaction, information exchange and constraint.

Bilateral relations can be improved through CBMs only by redefining the

traditional and security relationships in the context of the changed relations

between India and China. This can be done by arriving at a consensus on new

principles and procedures highlighting the ways in which concerned states

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should cooperate and compete with each other. The entire process should be

relevant to the changed conditions. In the case of sensitive borders, exchange

of information must include notification of aircraft operations. Clarification

must be made about military activities which are taken up near the international

borders, which otherwise could be misinterpreted.

Exchange of information should also include notification of naval exercises

and mock drills of both the countries along the SLOC and the choke points.

Invite observers to manoeuvres, who can be from a neighbouring country or a

neutral country or from an international organisation.

Organise more mechanisms in the lines of Joint Naval Symposium. In fact

revive the 2008 initiative.

Grass root level of CBMs in academic circles should be improved. It is with

much ambiguity and suspicion that a common man speaks about India - China

relations.

Certain topics of international relations, especially on bilateral relations of

India with her immediate neighbours, must be made a part of the curriculum

from the school level.

Activities by embassies and also scholarly persons with interpersonal skills can

bridge the communication gaps and help understand each other better.

Exchange of personnel as students or instructors at military academies, military

schools, or war colleges would also help.

India’s look-east policy may be expanded to a comprehensive strategy reaching

nations in all directions. By doing so, she will be assuring the world about her

intention to contribute to both regional and continental stability.

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Building a strong Navy

A strong Navy ensures peace in the Region, enhances the security and increases

the readiness of India to combat any unwarranted situation of aggression from other

countries, especially China. Given the vast geographic spread of the water bodies

around the country, Indian navy should be developed into a world class navy.

India should emulate the example of China in building up its naval

infrastructure through import and indigenisation.

India should increase the capability in submarines, missiles, aircraft strike and

communication to match China.

The training and re-training of the defence personnel is the key to success and

need to be focussed. The number of training institutes in defence should be

increased and extensive training is to be imparted. Careers in defence sector

should be made lucrative enough to attract the best talent of the country.

A strong mechanism need to be developed to ensure active co-ordination of the

three forces – the land, the navy and the air. Each of these forces plays a

distinctive role and supplements the strike capability of other forces. A strong

political system on the matters of defence and foreign relations is essential as

political dimensions largely determine the military dimensions.

The budget allocation on defence should not be sacrificed for other sectors, as a

strong defence is the key to ensure the sovereignty of the country. It should

reflect the current global scenario and the potential threat perception, and

should also have a relation with the GDP.

Strict surveillance along the Indian coasts, especially the uninhabited ones, is

to be taken up to avert terrorist strikes as of 26/11.

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We have all the potential of a strong regional navy. Engaging the navy in

checking the drug trafficking, environmental damage, rising ocean levels,

humanitarian aid during natural disasters etc. is the best way to make it strong

and assertive while achieving positive results at the same time.

Fostering Economic Development

No other measure is as important as a positive economic development.

Economic development improves the balance of trade, makes the country a preferred

trade partner among the world, besides improve internal peace and stability. Given

that China’s power today in the world is largely based on its economic strength, India

needs to focus on this area as a strong emerging economy. Some of the measures that

are recommended in this context are

Increase the developmental activities and cultural festivals in Andaman &

Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, North Eastern Region and Jammu & Kashmir

so that India’s sovereignty over these places is positively asserted.

Arrive at new agreements with China and other nations, especially in the IOR

and along the choke points of India, to maintain the balance of trade favourable

to India.

Strengthen first at home, and stop designing everything in the context of

globalisation as can be seen from the Chinese example

Enhance relations with her neighbours and engage them in economic ties of

mutual interest. This would enhance their confidence in India besides reducing

their reliance on China for support.

India must have a relook into her rich maritime heritage. She should design her

maritime policies with modern maritime outlook to reflect the changing

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geopolitics in the IOR. Maritime trade must be revived which will enhance her

maritime knowledge and will get access to seas.

India today is known for exports of primary produce and for providing services

in the tertiary sector. While consolidating the above, India should design

definite strategies to develop the secondary sector by encouraging semi-

finished goods from its primary produce. This would not only improve the

employment opportunities within the country, but would also increase the

volume of the exports from the country. If the pricing of the intermediary

goods can be competitive, India would have a large market abroad, making it a

strong economic power. If necessary, the State should step in to develop large

scale intermediary goods manufacturing facilities and encourage lowering the

input cost for these manufacturing facilities through various mechanisms

(including incentives) to make the Indian products competitive abroad. As

countries trading with India look forward to cheaper inputs for their finished

goods manufacturing, there would be no clash of interest in this economic

growth.

India should also look forward to large scale development of industry which

would be capable of manufacturing the intermediary goods for the defence.

This would ensure growth of economy within the country, besides increasing

the inputs to defence without actually increasing the budget outlay to the

defence sector and avoid the glare of watchful and suspicious eyes from

abroad.

While reducing the cost of the products is a desirable measure, India should

create a niche for herself in producing products of a good quality. Today, while

China is recognised for cheaper products, her credibility in terms of quality is

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not adequate. India can leverage on this fact to make her products more

desirable in India and globally through focus on quality.

Leveraging on the International Platforms

India should make use of international platforms like SAARC, BRICS, ASEAN

etc. to increase the opportunity to voice India’s stand on issues of importance among

different countries, besides being able to foster friendly relations with different

countries. This would strengthen the interests of India and partially neutralise the

influence of China in these countries.

China is presently an observer nation of South Asian Association for

Regional Co-operation (SAARC). China can be invited to become a full-

fledged member of SAARC. This would increase the level of co-operation

between the two countries and would make it a partner in the preservation of

peace in the Region.

India has dialogue partnership with Association of South East Asian Nation

(ASEAN), which can be elevated to full membership to accelerate economic

growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to

promote regional peace and stability through the rule of law and adherence to

the principles of the United Nations Charter.

India and China are the Member States of Asia Co-operation Dialogue

(ACD), which is a forum essentially to discuss Asia wide co-operation

towards co-operation in the economic front and in contributing positively

towards mutual peace and prosperity.

The International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) is a forum of

political parties of Asia-Oceanian countries, which was launched in Manila

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(Philippines) in September 2000. The objectives of the conference are to

promote exchanges and cooperation between political parties from different

countries in the area and with various ideologies; to enhance mutual

understanding and trust among Asian countries; to promote Asia's regional

cooperation through the unique role and channel of political parties; and to

create an environment for sustained peace and shared prosperity in the region.

India and China are already members of ICAPP.

India is already a member of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral and

Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). BIMSTEC is the sub-regional group of

ASEAN member states covering co-operation among priority sectors like

Trade and Investment, Transport and Communication, Energy, Tourism,

Technology, Fisheries, Agriculture, Public Health, Poverty Alleviation,

Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime, Environment and Natural

Disaster Management, Culture and People to People contact. Active co-

operation in these areas would promote the relations with neighbouring and

other friendly countries.

India should increase its lobbying to achieve its ambition of acquiring

permanent seat in the UN Security Council. This would not only increase the

respectability of the Country but would also increase its say in the world

security in general and IOR in particular.

By adopting the above, the researcher strongly opines that the interests of India

would be addressed to a large extent bringing in peace in the Region and increasing

the stability of the country. Some of the recommendations, though generic in nature,

would have far flung outcomes, if adopted with the true spirit of achieving the

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ultimate outcome. India, by its nature is known as a country with a soft approach and

responsible behaviour in the world. Actions of the country should reinforce this

strength without sacrificing the interests of the nation. India should carefully tread on

the razor thin borderline of being a self-confident, competent and responsible country

to being aggressive, arrogant and having global aspirations threatening the world’s

peace.

The researcher also opines that a thorough research can be done further in the

areas such as

India’s military/maritime preparedness and upgradation of the technological

levels

Current status of our surveillance and reconnaissance mechanisms to meet the

present and future requirements

India’s relations with her neighbouring countries to balance China’s increasing

presence in the neighbourhood and her soft power strategies

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