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Bilateral relations in international system are marked with complexity and uncertainty and the competition among world major powers is rising with every passing day. India and China, the two major powers of Asian region share almost the same history among each other and both states are the fastest growing economies of the world. Their economic muscles are considered complementary in the international system. It is expected that in near future the two potential powers will be strong enough of self-reliance because their focus is on domestic economic development and they are keen to bear a lot of responsibility for managing the problems of international system.
The on-going strategic competition and rivalry between India and China is of complex nature. This competition includes territorial disputes, competition for access of resources, the development of strategic alliances and the use of those alliances with other powers to contain the rise of each other. Both states have mistrust of the others strategic intentions and ambitions. The core aspect of their competition is based on a long history of border disputes and diplomatic friction. As a result of China’s continuous rise in Asian region, India looked towards the East to meet its objectives and to extend its area of influence. To achieve its foreign policy objectives, India is also working hard to strengthen its ties with U.S and other East Asian states.
In the current scenario, it is very much obvious that Delhi is not opting for policy of confrontation with China as its rise in Asian region. India is considering the policy of cooperation with China as it the only sensible move in the contemporary situation of world politics. China’s rise enables India to develop strategic and economic partnership with USA which helped India to grow faster on all the forums. China is having good ties with Pakistan.
The emergence of troika of Pakistan, China and Russia in South Asia major have impact on the regional dynamics of South Asia.
Sino-Indian rivalry and competition is directly affecting the regional security environment of South Asia.
Bolstering Indo-US strategic partnership against China, historical Indo-Pak rivalry, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has collectively made South Asia one of the most vulnerable regions. Along with the Sino-Russian rapprochement affect the already complex security environment of South Asia. The interests of great powers in South Asia making it most volatile, complex, and unpredictable, ambiguous region in the world. This Rise of China and India have a very significant effect which will shape the global political system of 21st century.
The chances of cooperation between India and China are limited for the near future and rivalry can be seen for a long time to come. India and China relations will be there to compete each other but within this competition the international system will always compel them to cooperate with each other. Any misadventure can bring adverse impact on their small and weak neighbours. Chronic territorial issues will be remained the same with the suspicion and continuation of border tensions, both the actors will monitor each other activities and will try to expand their influence to gain their national interests. A Sino-Indian rivalry which is to get the maximum advantage will compel the concerned regional neighbours to choose the sides. However, the domestic and the economic conditions of both the states will drive them to formulate such polices which will gain themselves the best out of the situation.
As it is a simple phenomenon that in the international politics that every state tries to become the prominent actor in the region to maximise its power and influence. Both states are competitors for power in Asia and then to the other regions of the world in exploring economic opportunities, regional cooperation and finding the new markets in the world for their economic aspirations. So, both the states are in competition, but should cooperate at the softer level rather than collide. For the betterment of the mases, China and India must find the mutual beneficial policies which can bring the ultimate product out of it; “peace”. Although cooperation seems difficult for the few decades, but the trans-border interaction, tourism and economic partnership can bring both the states together peacefully as it is said that” friends quarrel but remain friends, enemies cooperate but remain enemies”. Hence it is proved that competition and cooperation for both India and China will go parallel, but the cooperation will exceed the bilateral relations.
By Zainab Abbasi
(The writer is an M.Phil scholar and a Visiting lecturer at Quaid-i-Azam University and COMSATS. Her area of specialty is South Asia, Politics of Terrorism, China-Pakistan Relations and Indo-China Relations)
