Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India and its neighbourhood, Issue: Role of China in the Asian context.
Context:
PM Narendra Modi’s absence from China’s military parade in Beijing marking WWII victory highlights the limitations of India-China relations, limits of Eurasian coalition, and Asia’s historical divisions.
Key Highlights:
Background:
The Event:
- Parade showcased People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) power in Tiananmen Square. It was attended by leaders of Russia, Central Asia, and some Asian states.
- Leaders of India, US, Japan, Australia, and EU have abstained. Modi’s absence signals India’s distance from Beijing despite SCO participation.
Historical Context:
WWII Legacy in Asia:
- Europe: War ended with clear victors and defeated powers.
- Asia: Memory remains divided due to colonial experiences.
- Japan’s defeat marked the end of imperial rule but legacy got complicated by nationalism.
Nationalist Divergence:
- China: Frames WWII as national resistance against Japan.
- Korea: Views the war through colonisation and division.
- Southeast Asia: Interprets World War-II through struggles against colonialism.
India’s WWII Position:
- India fought with Allies against Japan.
- Subhas Chandra Bose’s INA (Indian National Army), backed by Japan, represented another strand of nationalism.
- Created internal division in nationalist memory.
India’s Calculations:
- Geopolitical Distance: Modi’s absence signals India’s reluctance to be part of China-led narratives.India remains cautious despite SCO membership.
- Quad vs. SCO Balance: India aligns with Quad (US, Japan, Australia) while still participating in SCO which shows India’s multi-alignment strategy.
- WWII Legacy and Partition: Post-war global order is shaped by the victors of WWII.India’s Partition and decolonisation left it distant from both Western and Asian power blocs.
Asia’s Divisions:
- Regional Rivalries: Asia remains divided due to nationalist interpretations of WWII, colonial legacies and competing visions of Asian unity.
- Japanese Legacy: Japan once sought “Asia for Asians” slogan which has limited acceptance as Asian nations had diverse experiences with Japanese occupation.
- Contemporary Fragmentation:
- Asia lacks collective identity like post-war Europe.
- Persistent strategic divides in Indo-Pacific fragment unification.
China’s Role and Impracticality of Eurasian Coalition:
China’s Projection:
- Uses WWII victory narrative to project military strength and leadership role.
- Parade serves as geopolitical messaging.
Limits of Eurasian Coalition:
- Despite SCO, Asian powers lack unity.
- India, Japan, US, Australia skeptical of China’s intentions.
- National histories and rivalries prevent collective security architecture.
Implications for India:
- Balancing Act: India cannot fully align with either China-Russia bloc or US-led alliances.
- Historical Caution: India recalls WWII legacy, INA complexities, and its colonial past.
- Strategic Autonomy: Modi’s decision reflects India’s independent foreign policy stance.
- Asian Divide: Reinforces reality that Asia lacks shared memory or strategic unity, unlike Europe.
Conclusion:
Modi’s absence from China’s parade reflects the impracticality of an Asia-wide coalition under Chinese leadership. Asia’s divisions such as historical, nationalist, and strategic continue to limit regional solidarity. India must pursue multi-alignment and strategic autonomy while safeguarding its interests in the Indo-Pacific.
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