INDIA–US FRICTION AND INDIA-CHINA BONHOMIE WILL BE SHORT LIVED

 By: N.S.Venkataraman

Many opinion makers are of the view that in the international relations between the countries , there are no permanent enemies and no no permanent friends. In support of this view, they point out the ongoing  stress in the relationship between India and the US, while a few years back, Indian Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump went overboard and hugged each other in friendship. In the case of present bonhomie in relationship between India and China, during the meeting before the SCO event, Indian Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed that both the countries should work together for mutual benefits, whereas in the past, there have been bitter wars several times between India and China when soldiers from both the sides lost their lives.

However, contrary to such view of opinion makers , the fact is that  it is a pre condition that there should not be any conflict of interest  between two countries to have near-permanent friendship, even though in some instances , there may be temporary setbacks that would be resolved in quick time.

India-US Relationship: 

In the case of India US relationship, the present friction is bound to be short-lived, as there is no conflict of interest between India and US. Both the countries are wedded to the concept of democracy and respect for personal  freedom and  liberty of citizens.

Millions of Indians have admiration for US due to the prosperity level, technological strength, personal liberty enjoyed by citizens and  above all, the  readiness of native Americans to welcome the people from across the world and enable them to live in US either as green card holders or as citizens after fulfilling certain conditions.   

Well-informed Americans also understand and appreciate India’s culture, tradition  and thought process that has been evolved over several centuries.

The present friction has arisen due to the whimsical decision of US President Trump to impose heavy and unacceptable levels of tariffs on Indian export to the US. The logic behind this decision is unclear and political observers, politicians and well informed citizens in US have questioned and disapproved of President  Trump’s tariff assault, calling it short-sighted.

Many believe that this tension between India and US  would go away sooner or later and mostly sooner than later, as there is no conflict of interest between both the countries . 

Realising this fact, Prime Minister Modi and Indian  government has not overreacted to the several abusive statements from the White House and  such statements and utterances have been ignored.

India- China Relationship:

While Indian Prime Minister and Chinese President have lauded each other during Modi’s visit to China , the ground reality is that there is definite conflict of interest between both the countries.

China is now occupying thousands of kilometres of Indian territory, after waging a bloody war in 1962 and now  claims that the Arunachal Pradesh state in India should be part of China, among many other irritants. China’s proposal to construct huge dams in Tibet that would block the flow of water to Indian territory is viewed with a high level of suspicion in India.

Further, there are millions of Indians who sympathise with the  plight of Tibetans, as China has forcefully occupied this peaceful country Tibet and driven out thousands of Tibetans as refugees. Many Tibetans lost their lives due to China’s aggression and China is now ruling Tibet with a vice like grip.  His Holiness the Dalai Lama is now highly respected in India, whereas Chinese government leaves no stone unturned to criticize him. Many Indians are of the view that Indian government should demand that China should restore the liberty of Tibet.

Indians will remember the huge faith reposed in China by Jawaharlal Nehru, Independent India’s first Prime Minister and how India was stabbed in the back by China by launching a war in 1962.

It is well known that China has huge territorial ambitions and wants to emerge as the super power in the world and in the process, is trying to get complete supremacy in Asia. It considers India as a stumbling block to achieving its objective and has criticised India several times in global forums in recent period.

There is underlying faith deficit about China amongst cross section of Indians, which cannot be ignored.

Many Indians are now cautioning Prime Minister Modi to be extremely careful in shaping relationships with China, considering the past turn of events between India and China.

Many people in India think that in the coming period, China’s tone towards India may become  once again hostile once again and China would continue to maintain   its claim on Arunachal Pradesh etc., when India’s relationship with US would get back to normalcy and China’s diplomatic strategies change.

Precondition for Relationships:

Historical events repeatedly show that precondition for smooth relationships between countries is the absence of conflict of interest, which is a fundamental necessity and guiding factor in fostering relationships between countries.

Venkataraman is a trustee with the “Nandini Voice for the Deprived,” a not-for-profit organisation that aims to highlight the problems of downtrodden and deprived people and supports their cause. To promote probity and ethical values in private and public life and to deliberate on socio-economic issues dispassionately and objectively.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and should not be attributed to Tibet Express.