By Dr Sreedevi Dumpa
The geopolitical relationship between India and China is shaped by a complex blend of historical rivalry, border disputes, regional ambition, and economic interdependence. As the two most populous countries in the world and major Asian powers, their interactions carry significant implications for regional and global stability.
At the core of India–China tensions lies the 3,488-kilometre Line of Actual Control (LAC)—an undefined and contested boundary running through treacherous Himalayan terrain. This frontier is more than just a geographical divide; it represents decades of mistrust, failed negotiations, and fundamentally different worldviews.
At the heart of their tensions lies the disputed Himalayan border, where skirmishes and standoffs—like the Galwan Valley clash in 2020—have underscored how fragile peace can be. Key flashpoints such as Aksai Chin (controlled by China but claimed by India) and Arunachal Pradesh (controlled by India but claimed by China) remain unresolved, fueling distrust.
Geographically, China has expanded its influence through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), funding infrastructure in South Asian countries like Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka—a move India views as strategic encirclement. In response, India strengthens its role in the Quad alliance with the U.S., Japan, and Australia, focusing on maritime security and Indo-Pacific cooperation.
Beyond trade and territory, India and China are engaged in a broader strategic contest for influence across Asia.
Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—particularly the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir—has heightened India’s security concerns. China’s port investments in Sri Lanka (Hambantota), road projects in Nepal, and digital outreach in Bangladesh are viewed by New Delhi as part of a strategy to encircle India, often referred to as the “string of pearls.”
Economically, while China is one of India’s largest trading partners, the relationship is lopsided. Recent tensions have led India to push for self-reliance, restricting Chinese investments and banning popular apps.
When Faith Meets Foreign Policy
In recent years, even religious and cultural exchanges have become collateral damage in the India–China rivalry. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage for thousands of Indians to Mount Kailash in Tibet, has been disrupted multiple times due to political tensions.
In 2017, following the Doklam standoff, China closed the Nathu La pass route, and the route has remained suspended since the 2020 Galwan clash. These closures have not only caused inconvenience for pilgrims but also exposed how geopolitical tensions can deeply affect cultural diplomacy and people-to-people connections.
Such symbolic acts underline the fragility of trust and the limited scope of soft power in an otherwise hard-edged strategic relationship. Despite sharp differences, both nations understand the cost ofopen conflict. Their geopolitics continues to swing between competition and cautious cooperation, making India–China relations one of the most watched dynamics in global affairs today.
(Dr.Sreedevi Dumpa is a senior advocate based out of Hyderabad; Writes on contemporary issues)
