SEASON 1 :How India plans to TAKE DOWN China? FOREIGN POLICY CLASSROOM with India’s Ambassador Anil T

India-China relations are multifaceted and have evolved over time. Here’s a summary bucketed under economics, politics, social, and historical aspects:

Economics: Trade and investment ties between India and China have grown significantly over the past few decades. China has emerged as one of India’s largest trading partners, with a focus on sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology. However, trade imbalances and concerns over Chinese investments in strategic sectors have led to calls for greater scrutiny and diversification of trade partners by India. The two countries are also part of several regional and multilateral economic forums, such as the BRICS, AIIB, and RCEP.

Politics: Politically, India-China relations have seen both cooperation and competition. The two countries have cooperated on various global issues, such as climate change and public health, and have worked together in forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. However, the two countries have a longstanding border dispute, which has led to several conflicts and standoffs, most notably the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the 2020 Galwan Valley incident. India’s growing strategic partnership with the US and China’s support for Pakistan have also added to the political tensions.

Social: Socio-cultural exchanges between India and China date back centuries, with Buddhism being a prominent link. The two countries share a rich history of cultural, educational, and artistic exchanges, which continue today through various platforms, such as tourism, student exchanges, and cultural festivals. However, perceptions and public opinion in both countries have been shaped by historical disputes and ongoing political tensions, which can sometimes result in negative stereotypes or incidents of discrimination.

Historical: The historical relationship between India and China can be traced back to ancient times, marked by trade along the Silk Road, the spread of Buddhism, and interactions between scholars and travelers. The modern relationship between the two countries began with India’s independence in 1947 and the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Initially marked by the “Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai” (Indians and Chinese are brothers) sentiment, the relationship soon deteriorated due to border disputes and culminated in the 1962 war. Since then, the relationship has experienced both periods of rapprochement and tension, with border disputes and strategic rivalries continuing to shape the bilateral ties. ****

0:00 – Coming up 0:44 – Introduction 3:52 – A brief: Indo-China relations in 1947 5:51 – Opening: Importance of China for India and the World 8:40 – Hyperpower v/s Superpower 15:07 – Indo-China Neighbourhood: Tensions and Economic Prosperity 22:13 – Is China always going to be a permanent challenge for India? 27:28 – Role of US and Indo-China Rivalry 30:43 – Debating the impact of China’s declining demography on India and the World 35:42 – Are we living in the “Indian decade”? 39:52 – India: Challenges in the 21st century 42:52 – India: A force to reckon with! 43:55 – HDR (Human Development Report) Capability: First responder 44:52 – Actions de-stabilizing India 46:11 – Reforms of the UNSC:India V/S The P5 46:56 – R&D and India’s necessity 48:18 – India’s Communication Strategy: Building a Narrative 52:50 – India’s position on the new Ocean route: The Arctic 56:33 – Summary 58:28 – Closing thoughts from the Ambassador