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History of India-China Relations:
- Ancient and Medieval Period:
- Silk Route and Southern Maritime Route facilitated trade between India and China.
- Travel accounts highlight cross-border interaction between both the countries. For example, Kumarajiva, Bodhidharma and Xuanzang visited Nalanda University.
- Scholar's like Aryabhatta's works inspired Chinese astronomy.
- During medieval period, Buddhism continued to be a common link under the Tang Dynasty.
- Colonial Period:
- Both India and China were victims of colonialism and Western imperialism.
- Indian and Chinese freedom fighters drew inspiration from one another. For example, Rabindranath Tagore's visit to China in 1924.
- British drew borders between India and China without any regard for local ties, sowing seeds of future disputes.
- Post-Independence Era:
- India was one of the first countries to recognize the People's Republic China (PRC) in 1950.
- Both nations adopted the slogan "Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai" and signed the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954.
- However, the relationship received a setback in 1959 when India granted asylum to Dalai Lama.
- Besides, conflicts over Aksai Chin, Arunachal Pradesh and 1962 Sino-India War further deteriorated relations.
Areas of Cooperation:
- Economic Cooperation:
- China is India's largest trade partner with bilateral goods trade reaching $136.2 billion in 2023. In fact, India faces a trade deficit of ~ $100 billion.
- Key exports to China include iron ore, cotton, seafood, and organic chemicals while India imports electronics, machinery and medical equipment from China.
- Chinese companies invest significantly in Indian tech start-ups, infrastructure and renewable energy projects. In 2020, 18 Indian unicorns had received over $3.5 billion in Chinese investments, reflecting capital linkages.
- Multilateral Cooperation:
- Both countries are the founding members of BRICS, collaborating on reform of global bodies such as IMF and World Bank (greater voting rights).
- India and China are full-time members of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) with focus areas being regional security, anti-terrorism efforts, counter-narcotics and connectivity.
- Both nations coordinate on global economic governance, climate finance and debt relief in G20.
- Military Cooperation:
- Both countries conduct joint drills e.g Hand-in-Hand counter-terrorism exercise, discontinued after Galwan crisis. Apart from this, India and China participate in Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in SCO.
- Protocols like Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) promote coordination on border management.
- Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) along the LAC promote peace and stability.
- Health Cooperation:
- India supplies generic drugs to China and imports Chinese Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) for Indian pharma sector.
- Both countries possess rich traditional medicine systems and promote active cooperation in areas of standardization and quality control.
- Limited vaccine cooperation during COVID pandemic led to reduction in active case numbers and decline in mortality.
- Cultural Cooperation:
- In April 2025, Visva-Bharati University organised a seminar marking 100 years of Tagore's visit to China.
- Popular films like Dangal and 3 Idiots have drawn Chinese audience in large numbers fostering a sense of shared values.
- Collaboration between the Chinese National Academy of Arts and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts further strengthen cultural ties.
Challenges in India-China Relations:
- Border Disputes:
- Over 3,400 km of border remains undemarcated. Main dispute areas include Aksai Chin (claimed by India, controlled by China) and Arunachal Pradesh (claimed by China, controlled by India).
- Major Flashpoints: Sino-Indian war (1962), Doklam standoff (2017), Galwan clash (2020).
- Trade Imbalance:
- India has large trade deficit with China (~$100 billion).
- Indian concerns include over-reliance on Chinese imports e.g electronics, APIs.
- Anti-dumping practices by China harm local Indian industries.
- Geopolitical Rivalry:
- India's growing collaboration with QUAD countries (US, Japan and Australia) are viewed with suspicion by China.
- India's contention at Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on the ground of violating its sovereignty (as China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through PoK).
- China's close ties with Pakistan in terms of military and diplomatic support as witnessed during Operation Sindoor harms India's strategic objectives.
- China's Five Fingers of Tibet strategy including Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh threatens India's territorial integrity.
- Increasing Chinese presence in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) through String of Pearls initiative aims to islolate India in its maritime neighbourhood.
Indian Response to Chinese Tactics:
- Formation of strategic partnerships with like-minded counties including QUAD and I2U2 (Israel, US, UAE) to counter Chinese influence.
- India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) aims to enhance connectivity and bolster India's presence in the Arabian Sea and Middle East.
- International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) connects India with Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea as a strategic alternative to CPEC.
- Necklace of Diamonds Strategy as a counter to String of Pearls enhancing naval presence, expanding military footprint and strengthening diplomatic relations with regional nations.
- Vibrant Villages Programme along India-China border to build durable infrastructure and connectivity.
Way Forward:
- Strengthen regional diplomacy through Act East and Neighbourhood First Policy.
- Form strategic partnership with like-minded countries such as Japan and Australia through military exercises e.g Malabar Naval Exercise.
- Initiatives like Bharatmala and Sagarmala projects enhance domestic connectivity and foster regional trade links.
- Cooperative frameworks on border management such as 1993 Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility can alleviate tension.
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