'India's Current Policies Prompt China To Reassess South Asia Policy,'
'India's Current Policies Prompt China To Reassess South Asia Policy,' Says Chinese Scholar
For experts analysing Chinas South Asia policy, an article in Chinese language contributed by an authoritative Chinese academician in May 2010 ( noticed online only recently) may prove to be important. The write-up captioned South Asias Position in the International Order and Choice Before China, authored by Professor Zhao Gancheng, Director of South Asia Studies, Shanghai Institute for International Studies has alleged (???????????????-????????, dated 21 May 2010), that Indias current policies are absolutely aimed at realising hegemony in South Asia; they do not address the strategic autonomy requirements of other South Asian nations. This reason is prompting China to reassess its South Asia policy.
The article has declared that the goal of Chinas South Asia policy will always be in favour of maintaining regional peace and stability and is related to the emergence of a regional balance of power and the gaining of strategic autonomy by all South Asian nations. In this connection, it has demanded that Indias position in South Asia should be redefined in the interest of a stable and peaceful regional order, adding that Indias strategic autonomy should not be detrimental to the corresponding autonomy of other regional powers and that India must rectify its periphery policy, which can enable other regional nations to accept its dominant position.
The article has also laid stress on the long-term need for factoring the security threats posed by international terrorist forces to Chinas Southwest border, in Chinas South Asia policy. It has further remarked that the policy should respond to the complicated situation arising in South Asia as a result of consolidation of its interests in the region by the US. In this connection, noting that the US has signed agreements with India covering the fields of nuclear cooperation etc and aid pacts with Pakistan and that President Obama could build a counter-terrorism front in the region, the article has felt that these are impacting on Chinas South Asia policy. Without having any particular country in the region as a fulcrum of its South Asia policy, China should support the creation of sustainable South Asian security architecture to deal with both traditional and non-traditional security threats.
The prescription in the article that Indias role in South Asia should be redefined appears to mark a new dimension in the thinking of Chinese academicians who in the past had backed Chinas ties with India as per the status it had then, along with their assessment that such ties are not directed against any third party. In fact, Chinese observers seem more inclined now than before to approach the situation in South Asia through the prism of India vs. the rest. This stand would no doubt be welcome in countries like Pakistan, inimical towards India. Whether coincident or not, at government levels also, China has started showing at the same time a pro-Pakistan tilt on India-Pakistan issues like Kashmir. Illustrating these are Beijings stapled visa procedure to Kashmiri Indians and undertaking of projects in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Also, there is no let up in Chinas strategic presence in other parts of Indias neighbourhood. In all, a churning in China on relations with South Asia, which could have implications for the developing Sino-Indian ties, is becoming visible.
The opinion of the scholar that Chinas reassessment of its South Asia policy is due to Indias current policies seems to be revealing only a partial picture of the reality. The scenario needs to be examined in a broader sense. China is undoubtedly showing a new assertiveness in Asia, dictated by its perceived need to protect its core interests. Accordingly, the direction of Chinas foreign policy is changing, subordinating diplomatic interests to those concerning the countrys sovereignty. Examples are Chinas uncompromising stand on its territorial issue with Japan and naval activism in South China Sea, even confronting the US power as well as its persistence in adopting a hard line on the Sino-Indian and the Dalai Lama issues.
Besides Indias policies, other reasons behind Chinas apparent new approach towards South Asia could include US nod for Chinas role in South Asia, as witnessed during Obama-Hu Jintao meeting at Beijing in November 2009 and Chinas growing worries about threats to stability of the riot-hit Xinjiang and Tibet bordering provinces, which as seen by Beijing are coming from across the borders. A Chinese language Xinhua despatch from Chengdu dated 29 August 2009, referred to the remarks of Chinas Defence Minister Liang Guanglie that India is a threat to Chinas Southwest borders, just as what Vietnam is doing with respect to South China Sea. Deserving notice in this context is Professor Zhaos emphasis that the security of Chinas Southwest borders will determine Chinas South Asia policy in a long term.
On Indias part, it is already showing awareness of Chinas policy recalibration. The Indian Prime Minister has himself pointed out in September 2010 that China is seeking to expand its influence in South Asia at Indias expense. Logically, Indias awareness is expected to lead to its adoption of suitable counter-measures against Chinas intentions. It is hoped India follows this logic in its own strategic interests.
In order to facilitate further discussions among scholars on the significance of opinions expressed by Professor Zhao, a translation of important portions of his article, done by this writer, is annexed below.
'India's Current Policies Prompt China To Reassess South Asia Policy,' Says Chinese Scholar
hegemony in South Asia is Nepal's, Pakistan's, Sri Lanka's , and Bhutan's worst nightmare.

