Signs of Himalayan thaw

The continuing border stand-off must end through de-escalation and de-induction of troops for a sustainable improvement in the Sino-Indian economic relationship

- N Chandra Mohan

INDIA'S EFFORTS TO repair ties with China—that have been in deep freeze after a deadly border clash five years ago—are part of its larger diplomatic drive to rearrange its great power relations. Although India's foreign policy has been increasingly aligned with that of the West, especially the US, it also has strategic relationships with major powers like Russia in a multipolar world. This delicate balancing act is now under pressure due to the upending of a rules-based international order by US President Donald Trump. The world is fragmenting along geopolitical lines, broadly into US-and Sino-centric blocs. At a time when its relations with Washington are under severe stress, New Delhi hopes to reset its relations with Beijing.

To be sure, India has limited geopolitical options in this regard. The rapprochement with China is constrained by serious concerns about the security of its northern flank, with 50,000 well-armed troops amassed on both sides of the border. The US is exerting pressure on India to stop purchasing Russian oil, which risks antagonising its time-tested and reliable relations with Moscow. But what happens to these historical ties if there is a deal with the US that enables Russia to return to the international mainstream? A grand bargain between Washington and Beijing also cannot be ruled out. As India is no more a swing state, it must salvage its strategic partnership with the US while also normalising ties with China.