Confronting Xi: India should engage both the Dalai Lama and Taiwan

Synopsis:

China has adopted a confrontational attitude against India as seen from last year’s unilateral aggression in the Galwan Valley region of Eastern Ladakh. In this scenario, India needs to recalibrate its China strategy and engage with both the Dalai Lama and Taiwan.    

Background:

• The Dalai Lama’s 86th birthday made headlines after the Indian PM greeted the Tibetan spiritual leader. 
• The public acknowledgement is a subtle recalibration in the China policy as he’s persona non grata for China.
  • In literal terms, the phrase is Latin for “an unwelcome person.” The term in a diplomatic sense refers to a foreign person whose entering or remaining in a certain country is prohibited by that country.

Dismal state of India- China relations in recent times:

• Last year, China unilaterally invaded the Eastern Ladakh region and violated the border agreements.
• India negotiated a disengagement this year at one friction point – Pangong Tso. However, there has been no progress on disengagement in Demchok, Gogra, Hot Springs and Depsang. 
• Chinese President’s speech, delivered on the occasion of centenary celebrations of Communist Party of China (CPC), signalled a strong confrontational attitude against India.
• China’s actions and their scale have altered the bilateral relationship. Due to this, the Indian Government has begun to scale back the economic engagement. Noticeably, in keeping China out of the forthcoming 5G transition and parts of the tech market.

Lesson for India:

• An important takeaway for India is that the size and the sophistication of the domestic economy matters in securing strategic interests. 
• China’s increasing belligerence has accompanied its growing economic clout that is backed by a $14.7 trillion GDP.

Way Ahead:

• As India works on its economic transformation, it should deepen its ties with Taiwan, a global leader in semiconductors. Deepening ties will simultaneously serve India’s economic interests and send China a message.
• Military commanders from both the countries are scheduled to meet for the 12th time. The meeting should be duly leveraged by India to work out a disengagement plan from the remaining friction points on the LAC in eastern Ladakh.