In a world marked by complex interconnections and power struggles, the rising influence of China is poised to bring about significant geopolitical repercussions, especially for India, and by extension, the global community.
The House of Commons Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) in the United Kingdom recently underlined the extent of China’s expanding power and how it seeps into the global economic framework. The ISC categorised China’s pervasive economic influence as the most significant risk the UK faces.
Drawing upon its scale, ambition, and proficiency, China has entrenched itself into the UK’s economy, an alarming development as it indicates Beijing’s relentless pursuit to consolidate the Chinese Communist Party’s dominance both domestically and globally. The ISC’s report emphasised the notion of a “whole-of-state” approach, indicating that China leverages both state and non-state actors in an espionage-driven method that currently exceeds the UK’s countermeasures.
This growth of China’s influence is not isolated to the UK. It has begun to redefine the strategic landscape of Asia and beyond, casting a significant impact on India, a traditionally dominant power in the region. The escalating border dispute between the two countries has symbolised their increasing rivalry, straining security dynamics across South Asia.
In recent years, China has fortified its stronghold over the Indian Ocean region, building a network of military and commercial facilities while solidifying its economic relations within the region. This rise in influence, coupled with growing economic dependencies, has started to undermine India’s diplomatic influence, pushing New Delhi into a potentially unsustainable competition.
As China cements its position in the region, its stance towards India has become increasingly assertive. India’s struggle to counteract China at the border has raised questions about its relative power, consequently impacting its regional influence. This growing Chinese dominance has seen New Delhi become more isolated, particularly as it tries to counter Beijing’s influence and establish a multipolar Asia.
Increasing military tensions, coupled with China’s naval build-up in the Indian Ocean, have initiated an arms race, which serves as a stark warning to India. This strained relationship has wider implications for global geopolitics, particularly for Europe, given its significant trade relations with the region.
Europe’s growing disillusionment with China underscores the necessity to fortify relations with India, aligning with their interests of free trade, supply chain resilience, and a multipolar world order. As China and India inch towards a new phase of antagonistic rivalry, the repercussions are not confined to these two nations, but echo across the world.
The deepening economic dependencies on China, coupled with its growing military assertiveness, represent an evolving challenge that demands strategic global countermeasures. Strengthening India’s position in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region aligns with Europe’s interests, with the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy marking India as a priority partner. As the world grapples with China’s ascendancy, the need to move beyond symbolic cooperation and into the realm of effective strategic partnership with India has never been more pressing.