In 2024, Narendra Modi’s re-election campaign emerged victorious, which made him the Prime Minister for a record-breaking third time.  Consequently, the Prime Minister re-appointed the Foreign Minister and National Security Advisor, showcasing his vision for continuity of India’s statecraft. One major issue that garners immense attention is India’s bilateral ties with China. India-China relations are marked with border disputes, unfair trade relationships, China’s alliance with Pakistan, and a consistent political disaccord over yielding power.  

The Indo-China relationship has struggled due to a lack of strategic trust. Additionally, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has brought China closer to Russia, India’s historic defense partner. Therefore, these power dynamics result in a complex web of relations, devoid of cooperation. However, the tense relations are a relatively recent development. In the period from 1990 to 2013, India and China had settled on focusing on their economic development, both countries collectively working on issues such as terrorism or Afghanistan. 

Impact of BRI on India-China Relations

The agenda for the two Asian powerhouses involved not repeating the 1962 border war. However, as national interests went in different directions. India grew insecurities when President Xi Jinping pursued an assertive foreign-policy and security agenda by focusing on promoting global technology champions and its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Moreover, he acquired advanced dual-use technologies and secured its economy at home.  

India has simultaneously established itself as a rising global economic force able to leverage its strategic partnerships in Asian and international markets. After the tumultuous period of the coronavirus pandemic, India has gained confidence from its status as the world’s fastest growing major economy. While China’s own economic prospects were met with pessimism. India’s ambitious “Make in India” movement is a testament to its vision of propelling its services and industry, using foreign capital to eventually boost exports.  When Prime Minister Modi was the leader of the Gujarat State, he referenced China’s Guangdong province as an example for achieving growth. And currently, it seems like India has taken a page out of China’s playbook as it is trying to defeat China at its own economic and strategic game.   

India is strategically depicting its power through calculated efforts that will pressurize China to recognize India’s global rise. The varying strategies include creating an inquiry framework based on border conditions prior to 2020; limiting official interactions and visas; renaming areas in contested territory; making defense and infrastructure investments along borders; boosting its nuclear second-strike capabilities, allowing some irritants to develop, and reducing reliance on Chinese imports to drive its own growth, all to the advantage of supply chains with the Quad and other nations. 

India-US Relations; A threat for China

When it comes to China, it is fixated on its rivalry with the US. Furthermore, China is aware of Donald Trump’s affinity for PM Modi. China is particularly heeding Indo-US relations on emerging technologies. India additionally possesses a large population, and its promising economy is favorable to Chinese exporters, however, it could also pose a problem for China. China continues to believe that its terms alone can steer the relationship, as seen by the widening GDP disparity between the two countries.    

Both countries are striving to enhance their profitability and security in the realm of space, cyber and underwater maritime domains by investing in national technological capacities. These practices leave very little room for cooperation. Moreover, India’s rejection of BRI and New Delhi’s consideration of a sanctions policy led by the US against Ukraine pose challenges to the BRICS countries’ convergence on currency promotion. Another area of dispute for Indochina comprises discouraging Russia from deploying nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Whereas third countries are stuck in a dilemma between choosing either India or China, which proves to be a hindrance in the path to prosperity for both countries.