Sino-India Relations: The South China Sea Dilemma

(Article By: Somya Paliwal)

Sino-Indian relations can be traced back to ancient times when trade via the Silk Route and
the spread of Buddhism tied the Indian civilization with that of China for centuries to come.
The two cultures co-existed in peace for years, but the first hitch came in the form of Opium
Wars during the British Raj in the 19th century. This conflict over trade policies gave a bitter
tinge to the relations of the two nations and since then that has been, more or less, the nature
of the Indo-China ties. Post-independence, India has been in several stand-offs with China
over territorial claims, most disputed regions being Aksai Chin in Ladakh and Tawang district
in Arunachal Pradesh. Chinas clear support to Pakistan economically, militarily, and
politically - has only added to Indias irk and kept her on her toes. Furthermore, the astute
trade policy followed by China is slowly making the Indian market dependent on their
products without opening Chinese market to Indian sellers. It is not secret knowledge that
China perceives India as competition and her take on various international matters has proved
that much, such as the 123 Agreement between India and the U.S.A, and Indias permanent
seat in the UN Security Council, to name a few. But despite the mutual wariness, the two
nations have been trying to build harmony through talks and inking mutually beneficial pacts,
though these do little to alleviate the recurring tension.

Another bone of contention between India and China is the South China Sea. Rich in oil and
natural gas, the Archipelagos in this part of the Pacific Ocean are claimed by many countries
but the strongest claims are that of People Republic of China and Vietnam. So when in 2011
Indias Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Videsh Limited signed a contract with
PetroVietnam for exploration in certain blocks of the disputed region, China expressed her
disapproval, going so far as to say that it was an attack on Chinas sovereignty. This situation
cannot be resisted but be compared to that of Pakistan and Indias Pakistan occupied Kashmir
(PoK) conflict where China has taken up some projects.

But apart from Chinas vehement protests against the Indian involvement in the South China
Sea, other littoral states seem appreciative of the interference. Chinas building military
presence in the disputed territory has raised many brows and they all look to India for
counterbalance. The U.S.A in particular has always been apprehensive of Chinas motives
and since it cannot (or rather will not) take part in South Asian geopolitics, it expects India to
step in as the only competent enough power to give China a challenge. But India, already on
thin ice with her neighbour, cannot afford to upset the delicate balance. Caught in the middle
of the deadlock with mounting foreign pressure, India is yet to find a shrewd answer to the
question: how to tame the dragon without unleashing its rage?