In the backdrop of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and 75 years of diplomatic ties, examine the evolving nature of the India-China relationship. How can India balance competition and cooperation with China to safeguard its national interests? (10M, 150 Words)

Xi Jinping’s statement that “When the dragon and the elephant dance together, the world will hear their steps.” shows the significance of India-China relationship not just for both countries but also for the world.  Their ties today are a mix of strategic rivalry and deep economic interdependence.

Areas of Convergence and Cooperation:

1. Developmental Priorities: China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” both prioritise growth, tech-driven modernisation, poverty reduction and green transition, allowing scope for selective cooperation in infrastructure and economic development.
2. Economic & Trade Linkages:
   1. China is one of India’s largest trading partners and the bilateral trade reached USD 138.46 bn in 2024, with volume in Jan–Oct 2025 at USD 127.63 bn (+11% YoY).
   1. Complementarities characterise the partnership with China being strong in manufacturing & hardware while India in services, pharma, IT.
3. Multilateral Platforms: Both coordinate in BRICS, SCO, G20, AIIB on issues like global financial reform, climate action, digital governance and voice of the Global South.
4. People-to-People & Cultural Links:
   1. Historical Buddhist connect and contemporary popularity of Yoga and Bollywood in China and Chinese products/culture in India are strengthening p-p ties.
   1. Resumption of visas, Kailash–Mansarovar Yatra, and student exchanges are rebuilding the trust.

Structural Challenges in the relationship:

1. Unresolved Boundary Dispute:
   1. Multiple flashpoints such as Aksai Chin, Arunachal, Depsang, Doklam, Galwan, Yangtse continue to pose obstacles.
   1. Forward deployment of troops and infrastructure on both sides is eroding confidence-building measures and trust.
2. Indo-Pacific Contestation:
   1. China’s “Five Finger” approach, String of Pearls, presence in Gwadar, Djibouti, and Indian Ocean surveillance vessels (Yuan Wang 5) heighten India’s encirclement fears.
   1. India’s engagement in QUAD, I2U2, Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative is viewed with suspicion by Beijing.
3. Economic Asymmetry:
   1. India’s trade deficit with China is more than USD 100 bn. Further critical dependence in pharmaceutical APIs, electronics, solar modules, telecom equipment also hinder the potential.
   1. Concerns over data security, 5G/6G networks, apps and investments have led to tighter FDI and digital regulation.
4.  Regional Concerns:
   1. China’s plans for large dams on the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra raise water-security anxieties for India and Bangladesh.
   1. Chinese influence in Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Myanmar through BRI and defence ties constrains India’s regional space.

Roadmap to balance competition and cooperation:

1. Deterrence with Dialogue: Maintain robust conventional and infra build-up along LAC while insisting on full disengagement and de-escalation through WMCC, Corps Commander talks and political channels.
2. De-risk, Not Blindly Decouple:
   1. Strengthen Atmanirbhar / Make in India in electronics, solar, APIs, telecom; diversify imports to ASEAN, Japan, EU.
   1. Tighten screening of Chinese investments in critical sectors while keeping non-sensitive trade open.
3. Leverage Coalitions: Use BRICS, SCO, AIIB to engage China constructively. Use QUAD, IPEF, Indo-Pacific partnerships to balance its assertiveness and shape rules on technology, supply chains and maritime security.
4. Enhance Neighbourhood relations:
   1. Implement “Necklace of Diamonds”, strengthen ties and bases with Oman, Iran (Chabahar), Seychelles, Mauritius, Indonesia, etc.
   1. Offer attractive connectivity and development alternatives through INSTC, Sagarmala, development assistance to neighbours.
5. Invest in Tier-3 Diplomacy:
   1. Promote academic, cultural, Buddhist and business exchanges; restart think-tank dialogues to reduce misperceptions.
   1. Encourage joint work on climate change, pandemics, global health, where interests converge.

Conclusion:

A calibrated strategy of firmness on sovereignty, diversification of economic risks, proactive regional diplomacy and selective engagement with China can help India navigate this dragon–elephant tango and shape an Asian order that is stable, plural and rules-based.

‘+1’ Value Addition:

• India and China share a 3,488 km boundary, the longest unsettled border in the world.
• As of 2025, more than 60,000 troops remain deployed on each side post-Galwan, indicating sustained military friction.
• Over 20,000 Indian students studied in China pre-COVID, mostly in medicine.
• “There is enough room in the world for both India and China to grow.” — Manmohan Singh
• “Trust but verify must remain India’s guiding principle with China.” — Former NSA Shivshankar Menon

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