The red flag as China’s expansionist strategy rolls on
Source: The Hindu
For Prelims
What:
The editorial examines China's recent actions, including its ambitious hydropower project near the India-China border, territorial assertions, and broader implications for India's sovereignty. It highlights China's construction of a massive dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, impacting downstream countries like India and Bangladesh. Additionally, China's cartographic aggression, such as renaming Indian territories and issuing maps claiming disputed areas, has intensified tensions.
Why:
These developments underscore China's strategic moves to assert dominance, not just militarily but also in areas like water resource management, which serves as a metaphorical chessboard where China seeks to control vital lifelines for its neighbors. India's concern stems from both sovereignty threats and potential environmental and strategic vulnerabilities posed by China's actions.
Who:
Key stakeholders include:
- China: Driving these actions to gain strategic leverage in the region.
- India: Directly impacted, especially concerning territorial disputes and water resource challenges.
- South Asian countries (e.g., Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan): Also affected by China's transboundary river projects and territorial claims.
- International law frameworks (e.g., ICJ): Highlighting the legal shortcomings of China’s cartographic assertions.
For Mains
GS II: International Relations – India and its Neighborhood; Governance
Highlights of the Article
The Transboundary Water Issue
Border Disputes and Cartographic Aggression
Context:
The editorial paints a picture of a high-stakes game where China’s actions disrupt regional stability. While India’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty are commendable, a broader, unified strategy across South Asia is essential to counter the growing unpredictability of China’s maneuvers. The need of the hour is a mix of robust diplomacy, collective action, and strategic investments in infrastructure to fortify regional security and resource management
UPSC EXAM NOTES ANALYSIS
1. Transboundary Water Issue
- India is not the sole country dealing with the consequences of China's expansionist agenda. Neighboring nations like Nepal and Bhutan have similarly experienced Chinese territorial intrusions. Land boundary disputes remain unresolved between China and several South Asian countries.
- Moreover, China's unilateral actions concerning transboundary rivers, especially the Brahmaputra and Indus river systems, pose significant threats to the water security of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Pakistan. Despite these pressing concerns, each nation has chosen to address issues with China through bilateral negotiations.
- China’s planned dam, capable of generating 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, is situated on the lower stretches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, near the India-China border. This large-scale project introduces substantial risks for downstream nations, particularly India and Bangladesh.
- The dam's construction is expected to diminish water and silt flow downstream, potentially causing lasting harm to agriculture, fisheries, and biodiversity in the affected regions.
- Furthermore, during the monsoon season or amid geopolitical tensions, the unregulated release of water could trigger catastrophic flooding along India’s borders, creating a significant strategic challenge.
- In response, India has expedited its plans to develop domestic hydropower projects and reservoirs, allocating $1 billion to fast-track the completion of 12 hydropower stations in Arunachal Pradesh
2. Border Disputes and Cartographic Aggression
- China's recent activities, such as the establishment of two new counties, reflect its persistent strategy of cartographic aggression to assert dominance over disputed regions. These maneuvers are intended to secure a strategic advantage against regional adversaries.
- China's territorial disputes with India are complex, with the most recent provocations taking place along the western sector in Ladakh. Furthermore, China continues to claim Arunachal Pradesh, an integral part of India, as its territory. Beyond India, China also contests territories with neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan.
- China's methods for asserting territorial claims—renaming areas within Indian-controlled regions, constructing settlements in disputed zones, and including contested regions in official maps—are becoming increasingly prominent.
- For instance, in 2023, China standardized the names of 11 locations in Arunachal Pradesh to reinforce its claim, mirroring similar actions in 2021 and 2017.
- However, international law does not support territorial claims based solely on cartographic representations. Landmark rulings, such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision on the Minquiers and Ecrehos dispute between the United Kingdom and France, highlight that maps alone do not establish sovereignty. Instead, effective administrative control and demonstrable sovereignty are key factors in determining territorial ownership.
- While China's cartographic aggression lacks legitimacy under international law, its efforts to establish a physical presence in contested areas, such as constructing settlements, could create long-term complications for India and other affected nations
3. South Asia's response
- Although China has pursued economic ties with all South Asian countries, its territorial and water-related disputes with these nations continue to cause tensions in the region.
- In contrast to Southeast Asian countries, which have utilized collective measures through organizations like the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asian nations, including India, have opted to address their concerns with China on a bilateral level. This approach is influenced by the power imbalance between China and its smaller neighbors.
- As the leading regional power in South Asia, India should take the initiative in promoting a collective response to China's actions.
- A unified strategy, incorporating regional forums, multilateral institutions, and enhanced diplomatic coordination, would bolster South Asia's position in countering China's growing influence and territorial ambitions.
- Developing a comprehensive strategy that includes diplomatic engagement and regional cooperation is essential to safeguarding India's sovereignty and regional security in the face of China's increasing assertiveness
4. Conclusion
China's expansionist policies in South Asia, particularly its territorial encroachments and manipulation of transboundary water resources, have raised serious concerns for regional stability and security. India's response, while necessary, must not be isolated but part of a broader, collective effort involving South Asian countries. The lack of a unified regional response to China's assertiveness has allowed the country to advance its interests unchecked, leveraging its economic and geopolitical influence. To effectively safeguard its sovereignty and regional security, India must lead the charge in fostering a multilateral approach that involves stronger diplomatic coordination and regional cooperation. Such a strategy will not only address the immediate threats posed by China's actions but also ensure a more resilient and balanced regional order in the long term
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Mains Practice Questions
1.China’s increasing assertiveness in South Asia, particularly in territorial disputes and water management, poses a serious challenge to the region’s stability.” Discuss India’s strategic responses to these challenges, highlighting the role of bilateral diplomacy and regional cooperation
2.Analyze the implications of China’s cartographic aggression on India’s territorial integrity. How can international law be leveraged to counter such unilateral actions by China?
3.Despite growing territorial and water-related tensions, South Asian countries, including India, have preferred bilateral engagement with China. Critically evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of this approach in the context of regional security and sovereignty
4. The proposed Chinese dam projects on transboundary rivers have significant implications for water security in India and its neighbors. Assess the potential environmental, political, and strategic challenges these projects pose to India and the region
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