[Answered] “As India and China mark 75 years of bilateral ties, the relationship is increasingly characterized by ‘competitive coexistence’.” Critically analyze the factors contributing to this dynamic, and discuss the strategic imperatives for India and China to adopt military, diplomatic, and economic guardrails in their engagement.

Introduction

At 75 years of diplomatic relations, the India–China relationship is marked by structural contradictions and strategic pragmatism. The term “competitive coexistence” aptly captures this phase — where strategic rivalry and deep mistrust coexist with economic interdependence and shared regional responsibilities.

Factors Contributing to Competitive Coexistence

1. Unresolved Border Disputes: The Line of Actual Control (LAC) remains undefined. Incidents like the Galwan clash (2020) and persistent military build-up have intensified distrust.
2. Economic Interdependence Amid Rivalry: Bilateral trade reached $136 billion (2023–24), but India faces a $100+ billion trade deficit. While Chinese apps and FDI face curbs, critical dependencies (e.g., APIs, electronics) remain.
3. Strategic Competition in the Indo-Pacific: China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and influence in India’s neighbourhood (e.g., Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka) challenge Indian primacy. India counters through Act East Policy, QUAD, and initiatives like IMEC.
4. Geopolitical Pressures and Global Alignments: The evolving US–China rivalry and India’s growing proximity to the West influence bilateral dynamics. India’s stance of strategic autonomy tempers full alignment with either camp.
5. Narrative Contestation and Trust Deficit: Mistrust from past wars (1962), Doklam (2017), and Galwan (2020) still pervades. Beijing’s efforts to influence regional discourse — e.g., through Bangladesh or Tibet — are viewed warily by India.

Strategic Imperatives and Guardrails

1. Military Guardrails: Enhance border infrastructure, communication protocols, and hotlines. Resume frameworks like Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) for de-escalation.
2. Diplomatic Engagement: Institutionalize mechanisms like Working Mechanism on Consultation & Coordination (WMCC). Leverage platforms like BRICS, SCO, and climate diplomacy for constructive engagement.
3. Economic Safeguards: Diversify trade dependencies via PLI scheme, ‘China Plus One’ strategy, and FTA with alternate partners. Encourage technology self-reliance and monitor sensitive sectors.

Conclusion

India–China ties are transitioning from conflictual disengagement to cautious coexistence. In an era of multi-alignment, both powers must prioritize guardrails over grand bargains — ensuring that competition does not spiral into conflict, and coexistence is grounded in realism, resilience, and mutual respect.