INCH towards MILES

Col J P Singh, Retd
Watching President Xi breaking protocol to greet premier Modi in Xi’an city centre, his home town, the impression I got impelled me to share the happiness instantaneously but it could not be done till the visit was complete. The visit over, one can make presumptuous analysis on the ultimate outcome as curiously as one is about China’s involvement in Indian growth. A lot of hype had been created prior this visit. Upbeat  public mood in Xi’an put the anxious Indian minds at ease. In Beijing and Shanghai also lot of publicity had been given which acted as catalyst in creating bonhomie. Such positivity prior to the top leaders meeting augurs well. Modi had already made a good beginning by SAARC initiative followed by impressive visits to neighbouring and Western countries. Under Modi, India  has entered ‘great game Asia’ as a major player which means lot of foreign investments. Modi understands Chinese economic power and President Xi’s strength which, if poised towards India, can supplement Indian growth and Asian development. China being an immediate neighbour and a great economic power, next only to America, had to be Modi’s focus and cherished destination. Modi has coined a new terminology ‘INCH towards MILES’ to describe Sino-Indian relationship in which INCH stands for India-China & MILES stands for ‘millennium of exceptional synergy’. India desperately needs Chinese help to realise its own and Asian dream. Hence lot of importance is attached to this visit.
To any analysts, economically and militarily China is predominantly strongest in Asia. World dreads it for muscle flexing and threatening international trade through South China Sea. Its territorial disputes with maritime neighbours and strategic encirclement of India has raised enormous concerns in Asian and Western nations. Most of the countries are suspicious of Chinese intentions. All apprehensions being true and alarming, I saw Modi’s blitzkrieg as an excellent opportunity for Modi-Xi bonhomie and China’s entry in India.
Coming to the brasstacks, many areas of Indian interest and concern which were on the agenda even during President Xi’s September 2014 India visit have been discussed threadbare. They are being elaborated one by one.
Bilateral Trade: China is India’s greatest trading partner. Our combined trade runs into nearly 90 billions a year. But the trade deficit is as huge as 38 billions for which a ‘task force’ has been constituted. It is a welcome step. Chinese products have invaded each and every Indian household which has incapacitated Indian manufacturing sector. (Bought a Bajaj toaster from the CSD with ‘made in China’ marking, would surprise the readers). It shows that manufacturing in China is much easier, cheaper and attractive because of which Indian industrial houses have shifted to China for manufacturing. Thus Modi’s ‘make in India’ initiative gets importance. 26 agreements worth 22 billions have been signed between Chinese and Indian firms. If Chinese business leaders work to reduce trade deficit, it will be a big game changer in bilateral trade.
Manufacturing: While addressing joint Indian and Chinese business leaders in Shanghai, Modi told them that winds of change were blowing in India and called upon them to feel it. He went over the path-breaking economic initiatives that his govt has undertaken to attract foreign investments in the manufacturing sectors and promised to create more favourable opportunities for Chinese to start manufacturing in India rather than dumping their goods.
Infrastructure Development: China can help India in developing our woeful infrastructure sector immensely. Xi had committed to invest 20 billions in infrastructure development during his India visit. China has developed world class infrastructure in its own country and Tibet. It is doing the same in many Asian and African countries. If India has to grow as a global power, it has to have world class infrastructure. Besides Japan, China is another country which has the capacity to invest in Indian high speed railways, world class roadways, sea ports, industrial corridors, nuclear power plants and irrigation projects and she has shown willingness to do so. Signing of accords in Beijing and Shanghai, is a win win situation for India.
Tourism and Cultural Diplomacy : Speaking at Indian community reception at Shanghai, he exhorted Indian Diaspora to sponsor atleast five Chinese visitors to their native places every year. He asked them to show case India in China. Earlier speaking to the Chinese university students he revived old historical, religious, cultural, trade and travel links between world’s two ancient civilisations and extended e-visa facility to them and the tourists. He has succeeded in attracting Chinese students and tourists. Revival of old and historical relationships will bring people closer to each other and minimise trust deficit wherever it exists.
Boundary Issue: Our relationship with China is rooted in geopolitics. New Delhi blames China of occupying 38,000 sq kms of Indian territory while Beijing lays claims over 90, 000 sq kms of Arunachal Pradesh. The border issue led to an ignominious war in 1962 and persistent distrust. Frequent cross border intrusions continue. Last year Xi’s visit was marred by PLA’s deep incursion in Ladakh. Entire 3,400 kms border between India and China, is disputed. Modi has unequivocally urged Chinese leadership to remove the myth of uncertainty once and for all by finding out where the ‘actual line of control’ is on the ground. No Indian leader has so far raised the boundary issue in this manner before. If two nations can define the boundary line amicably and swap disputed areas, if any, it will be in the best interest of both. India having swapped large territories with Bangladesh recently is in a position to do so with China as well. This bold initiative can be a big game changer. Since the disputed border has been tranquil, it is hoped that both nations will resolve it amicably soon after which they can co-exists as reliable friends. He told the Indian Diaspora that that these two neighbour cannot live apart. They have to live together he said.
Regional Security :  Under President Xi’s leadership, China is building up an expansionist and aggressive stance in Asia. China has woefully enhanced her military power amid rising tensions with Vietnam and Japan which are friendly to us. As told by foreign secretary, Modi and Xi have discussed bilateral, regional and global security issues with particular references to global terrorism and advantages of regional peace and prosperity. Kabul terror attack during Modi’s China visit added currency to the point. China’s military cooperation with Pakistan and its presence in POK is also said to have been discussed.
Silk Route: Opening of old silk route and the new maritime silk route are President XI’s dream projects. He has sought Indian cooperation in their development. India has reservations about them, more on the maritime silk route because of Chinese ‘string of pearls’ encirclement of India. Sri-Lanka and Maldives have already given their consent for the maritime silk route. Nothing much has been said about them during this visit but the issue is alive and needs tactful handling.
Conclusion: Despite redlines, China is redefining its relationship with India. China has taken a big step in capturing world job market whereas young India is not seen much beyand Silicon Valley. If Chinese investments grow in India, it will create jobs for our youths.  Earlier by considering China and Srilanka as hostile neighbours India has done a great disservice to itself. Since both the leaders have established good rapport, let us hope that Modi’s vision and China’s rise complement each other. Unfortunately past few years of policy paralysis and declining credibility of political leaders pushed us into cynicism and despair. Since Modi is riding a galloping horse, he will win the friendship race with China. Let us shed off old cynicism and ride on fresh hope is the message from Modi’s China visit. To my mind ultimate outcome is going to be path-breaking on economic front and icebreaking on all other contentious issues.

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