Amid the dynamic world of global politics, this week observed intensifying campaign of both the candidates in the US presidential elections, while on the other hand the US affirmed its support for India by calling Arunachal Pradesh an integral part of India (which anyways is a fact!). The US has also strongly condemned China for its false territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The official statement of the US this week has left China in fury.
It is the first presidential rematch after 1956 in the US presidential elections. People are well aware of the policies and actions taken by both, Trump as well as Biden. They have got the opportunity to compare the regimes of both the leaders. While Trump is considered as an unpredictable leader, Biden is known as a foreseeable one. However, the age factor related to Biden does not go to his favour. On the other hand, Trump’s image and the ongoing cases against him puts him in the dark spot. Though both are supported staunchly by their respective parties, both Trump and Biden are surrounded by the kinetic forces mustered by the other candidates and various national as well as the international issues that may sway the results of the elections into any unexpected directions. There is a laundry list of national issues to be resolved in the US. From unemployment to inflation to the challenges posed by the gun lobby to climate change and more; the US may be considered as a superpower globally but it has numerous unresolved challenges at its home-turf.
There are many experts who believe that whosoever wins the elections, his strategy towards the national priorities would not differ much. I agree to an extent as we have seen how except the issue of climate change containment and emigration, Biden did not differ much from Trump in his policies towards China, terrorism or for that matter controlling the gun lobby. Basically, above and beyond the ideology, every leader tries to strike a balance between the philosophy endorsed by his party and his national interests. Biden did the same. India-US partnership can also be considered as an example. Many speculated when Biden became the president that the India-US partnership will suffer due to the ideological preferences of Biden. But the world observed how this bilateral partnership scaled new heights of success, and how Indian Prime Minister developed a special bond of friendship with Biden. So, when it comes to the strategic partnership between India and the US, whosoever becomes the next President of the US, India-US partnership would keep flourishing; and Chinese manoeuvrings would certainly remain a common matter of concern for both the nations.
This week, the US came out with its official statement and affirmed its recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as an integral Indian territory and firmly opposed any independent efforts by China to assert its territorial claims along the LAC. Earlier this week, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for the Chinese Defence Ministry, stated that the southern part of Xizang is an integral part of China’s territory and that Beijing “neither recognizes nor strongly objects to” the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally formed by India”. India, in response, emphasized that Chinese objections cannot alter the facts. Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, stated on 12 March that despite Chinese objections, Arunachal Pradesh remains an integral and inseparable part of India. The controversy arose following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh at an altitude of 13,000 feet. This tunnel is designed to enhance all-weather connectivity to Tawang and improve troop movement along the frontier region. After this inauguration, China sharply reacted as this tunnel is seen as a game changer in the tussle between China and India. While replying to Chinese propaganda, Indian Ministry of External Affairs clearly stated, “Repeating baseless arguments in this regard does not lend such claims any validity. Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Its people will continue to benefit from our development programmes and infrastructure projects.” Now, when the US has also come up openly in support on India on this entire issue, China is reacting bitterly (as expected!).
Despite the fact that we cannot end the violent conflicts or wars, we should not forget that we are living in a different world today. It is the multipolar world of complex interdependence enabled by highly advanced technologies. Therefore, each and every nation should focus on promoting democratic values, education and people to people connect, instead of endorsing negative diplomacy and imperialistic practices. I may sound idealist or utopian, but there is nothing wrong in at least thinking about becoming good, as our thoughts finally lead us to the ground of actions. I hope the leaders are reading this!
The author is Professor, School of International Studies, JNU