Veiled strategy of China

The pandemic has made year 2020 a turbulent ride. People are locked at home, trade has gone down, economy is on
Veiled strategy of China

Sukanya Das

(The writer can be reached at dassukanya303@gmail.com)

The pandemic has made year 2020 a turbulent ride. People are locked at home, trade has gone down, economy is on the verse of recession, death toll is increasing, human civilization is perishing and what not. With mounting pressure from all over the world, China is trying to play its card very cautiously and strategically. India being an economic giant in Asia next to China, it has always been a competitor for the dragon. During Xi JinPing's visit to India in 2019, both Indian and Chinese counterparts vowed to take the relationship to a greater height. But the height has been doomed, it seems. It is for sure that the Dragon and Elephant cannot dance together. The never-ending border dispute has again reemerged in the middle of the pandemic. First in the Sikkim area and now in the Ladakh region, China maintained its intrusion. The expansionist tendency of China leads to flare up the border tension again. The recent border skirmish is the biggest confrontation between both the countries since 1962 war. With its gigantic economy and military power, China is trying to intimidate India. But the dragon is well aware of the its international impression that it has gained after the pandemic, so with no major support from the rest of the world, China will barely dare to escalate a war against India. Therefore, it is trying to enfeeble the relationship of India with its neighbours, which eventually may lead to Strategic Encirclement.

Recently, China seems to be very benevolent towards Nepal. India has good relation with Nepal and has yet to see the antagonistic behaviour of the friendly nation, until when Nepal's abrupt unanimous decision to update the political and administrative map which incorporate three Indian territories Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura. Moreover, events like deploying of troops at the border or amendment of citizenship laws for the Indians pose major setbacks to India-Nepal relation. Although China seems to be sitting at the fence, but actually all these events are taking place at China's behest. China is slowly increasing its political and cultural ties with Nepal. Also its growing relation with the Nepal Communist Party makes Nepal to dance to the tune of the China. Even in case of Bangladesh, China is trying to woo her in every possible way. China offered to build a full-fledged and permanent submarine base at the Cox Bazaar in Bangladesh, it has also promise to priorities Bangladesh for COVID-19 vaccine. China has already invested a fat amount on the ports of Bangladesh under it Belt and Road Initiative. The world has witnessed China's debt trap agenda. The Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka is a vivid example. China has built a port in Sri Lanka and when Sri Lankan government failed to repay the loans it was taken on lease by China for 99 years. The same is going to happen with Bangladesh as well if she agrees to the proposal. China announced tariff exemption for 97% of Bangladeshi products with effect from July 1. Already, 3095 Bangladeshi products enjoy duty-free access to Chinese market under Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement. This will further increased to 8,256 Bangladeshi products which will have in bolstering the economy. The development of parallel tensions in the border and also with Nepal, it can be anticipated that China can also have a possible trespass into Bangladesh's politics if Sheikh Hasina doesn't take the wake up call. China may compel Bangladesh to stand against India in the long run.

In addition to this, it has also tried to maneuver Afghanistan and Myanmar as well. When the whole world is suffering from economic scarcity, China offered loans to Afghanistan and Myanmar to boost their economy. The withdrawal of American troops created vacuum in Afghanistan and China senses this as an opportunity to bring this war driven country under its trap. China knows about the possible leverage over Afghanistan because of its China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CIPEC). But fortunately, Afghanistan's president Ashraf Ghani is well acquainted with China's dirty tactics and he firmly rejects the loan. He said Afghanistan is liable to grants not loans. Myanmar has already submerged into huge loans, if it takes further loans economy will deteriorate. Currently Myanmar debt stands at 10 billion dollars and 40 per cent of the debt is already owned to China. Being the all-weather friend, Pakistan has always its back for China in any situation. The puppeteering policy has succumbed Pakistan to neck-deep debt. The border-stand off and China's simultaneous build up of connection with India's neighbours unveiled China's strategy. It tries to keep India busy over the border issue while at the same time encircle India from various corners. Therefore, it is weaving its web of debt for the poor economy and in the process sways them against India.

Also the growing relationship of India with the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea and even Russia has alarmed China. Recently India has signed many agreements with these major economies to enhance the cooperation and strategic development and many of them are to counter China's expansionist policy. Being closer to China and having close ties with the big economies China comprehends India as a challenger. China is trying every possible way to dismantle the stable relationship of India with its neighbours. However, the process of strategic encirclement is not new. China has started much earlier with its heavy investment on various ports in Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea under the "String of Pearls" and it has been quite successful.

Therefore, it is high time India accelerated its soft power and increase diplomatic ties with its neighbours. Along with the economic biggies India should maintain a safe hand with its neighbours as well. India soon has to oil the rusty corners with its neighbours for stimulating the cultural and economic cooperation. Maintaining an assertive stand at the border and a more generous yet witty relation with its neighbours will help India to pull the string in its favour. 

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