China Shops – India’s multilateralism comes up against the reality of Beijing-Islamabad, Beijing-Moscow compacts

Source: The post is based on the article “China Shops – India’s multilateralism comes up against the reality of Beijing-Islamabad, Beijing-Moscow compacts” published in The Times of India on 8th May 2023

Syllabus: GS 2 – Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Relevance: About China-dominated forums.

News: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting was held recently in Goa. During the meeting, India explained that neither China nor Pakistan should expect normal relations till their hostile approaches are rolled back.

What are the issues with India being a member of China-dominated forums?

The China-Russia strategic compact has forced India to re-evaluate its investment in China-dominated forums such as SCO and BRICS. This is because,

-China is using these forums for its own zero-sum strategic tussle with the US.

-Ultranationalist dispensation in China is politically unable to resolve the border dispute with India.

-China’s pitch for multipolarity is not in consonance with India’s goals.

What India should do instead of being a member of China-dominated forums?

-India’s multi-alignment strategy so far did not leverage any of the forums to obtain a better deal with the West or Russia. This should be followed in future also.

-Instead of China-dominated organisations, India should focus on platforms like the Quad, BBIN (Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal) and I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-US).