Global politics is an interesting yet complex maze where various players keep playing to attain, maintain and grow their power. In this power game, the players collaborate with each other or compete depending on the geo-political situations around. These players also act inversely at different levels, like two nations may have hostility at bilateral level, but they choose to collaborate at multilateral level. Their behaviour depends on the larger picture of global affairs as well as their individual ambitions and objectives. This keeps global politics dynamic. This week too remained active in terms of different activities around the world. India and China held the 19th round of commander-level talks to resolve their border issue. However, no breakthrough could be achieved. China, instead of aligning its interests with India, is competing with India furiously and because of what it did with India in the past, India also understands China cannot be trusted. But, keeping the foundational elements of our foreign policy alive, India initiated these talks with China in 2020 to keep the window of dialogue open. Another disturbing news from Afghanistan related to the basic rights of women should be taken up as a priority for international agencies. When the world is moving towards women-led development, no nation should curb the basic rights of its women.
Dynamics of India and China Ties
It is very easy to act as an aggressor than to maintain and promote peace. India has always believed in ‘no first attack’ policy and has respected territorial integrity of its neighbouring nations. But the world knows how China started asserting its domination in the world especially after the cold war ended. To fulfil its long-cherished dream of acquiring its lost status of the powerful ‘middle kingdom’ again, China started using negative tactics. It used ‘salami strategy’ to grab the lands of its neighbouring countries and today it has territorial disputes with over 12 nations including India. It used ‘string of pearl’ strategy to establish its bases in different countries surrounding India and establish its strategic as well as trade control in Indian Ocean. Chinese bases in Hambantota (Sri Lanka) and Gwadar (Pakistan) are just the two examples. It also practiced ‘debt diplomacy’ in the name of its ‘belt and road initiative’ to lure the developing and underdeveloped nations across the world to establish its dominion. We keep discussing what China has done in Indo-Pacific, South Asia and Central Asia, and many times forget its massive presence in Latin America where it has acquired a very powerful position by investing heavily in Latin American countries (remember how Brazil took a U turn on Russia-Ukraine war? Well, the credit goes to China!). It took the benefit of the cold war and extended its feet in the world after the cold war ended. To become the superpower from Asia, it is trying hard to slice the Indian territory of great strategic importance. But India has given a befitting reply to China on ground every time it attacked India. India exercised its power in Doklam and Galwan to secure its territorial integrity. It is crucial for the regional and global security now that this territorial issue (read: created by China) between India and China ends. India started these commander-level talks in 2020 in Chushul Moldo after having a round of skirmishes with China. India wanted to come up with peaceful resolution of the border issues with China along the consensus on Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector. Some rounds of these talks did end with positive developments. For example, during the 16th round of these commander-level talks, both India and China agreed to withdraw their troops from the Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs, which was a key standoff point in eastern Ladakh. But during the recent commander-level talks, China did not agree to restore patrolling rights of Indian forces in Depsang Plains and Demchok. Apart from the tiff over strategically located Demchok, considering heavy Chinese military presence in the Depsang, which is close to the Karakoram Pass, and overlooks the strategic Saltoro Ridge and Siachen glacier, India would certainly work out to resolve this issue with China. Indian Prime Minister and the Chinese President will be meeting in the upcoming BRICS summit. Though we should not keep high hopes from China, let’s see what comes out of this upcoming significant meet.
Taliban’s suppression of Women’s rights
Multilateral platforms provides a good environment to the leaders from different nations to meet and resolve their bilateral as well as multilateral issues. These platforms also take up various global objectives like promoting global peace and security, sustainable development and women empowerment. Women-led development is one of the prioritised objectives for the entire world, but it seems some countries still live with male-dominated mindset. This week, a shocking news from Afghanistan raised an alarming bell for those who are working in the area of women empowerment. Taliban government (read: a deadly terrorist organisation) of Afghanistan has come up with a statement according to which ‘women lose value if men see their uncovered faces in public and thus a woman must keep her face covered when outside the home’ (and this government calls itself Taliban 2.0, which believes in democracy!). The entire world is observing how Taliban has curbed the democratic rights of its citizens including women after taking over the government of Afghanistan in 2021. A terrorist organisation and democracy seem to be oxymoronic anyways. But this is high time, international agencies must intervene and ensure the basic rights of people in Afghanistan for the governments are formed for people and not vice versa.
The author is Professor, School of International Studies, JNU