Keep up pressure: India-US teaming up on Pacific Islands will trouble China. That’s welcome

Source: The post is based on the article “Keep up pressure: India-US teaming up on Pacific Islands will trouble China. That’s welcome” published in The Times of India on 30^th September 2022.

Syllabus: GS 2: India and its neighbourhood- relations.

Relevance: About India-China relations.

News: The troop disengagement process in eastern Ladakh remains incomplete and China continues to block UN sanctions against Pakistan-based terrorists. Despite that, China’s ambassador to India has recently said that the border situation is “switching to normalised management and control” and bilateral ties have shown positive momentum.

This shows China’s subtle overtures to India due to the pressure on China by the US in East Asia.

What are the advantages China gained in delayed disengagement?

China has achieved their near-term objectives by delayed disengagement such as a) Along the LAC most of the disengagement buffer zones coming up on the Indian side, b) China has further bolstered its infrastructure on its side.

How China is approaching Pacific Islands?

China has been slowly peeling away the islands. For instance, a) Kiribati and the Solomon Islands switched recognition from Taiwan to Beijing, b) Kiribati pulled out of the Pacific Island Forum earlier this year on China’s instructions.

What India should do if China is looking for peace?

China will talk about cooperation with India whenever it is in a tight spot strategically but will revert to an aggressive posture when the pressure eases. So, a) India should stick to its position that there can be no normalisation until China drops its aggressive behaviour, b) India should keep up the pressure by teaming up with the US to counter China’s growing influence among the Pacific Island nations,  and c) India should boost our defence infrastructure along the LAC.