India rejects China’s renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh

15 Apr India rejects China’s renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh

This article covers ‘Daily Current Affairs’ and the topic details of ” India rejects China’s renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh”. This topic is relevant in the “International Relations” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

Why in the News?

Lately, China has been renaming certain locations in Arunachal Pradesh. India has firmly opposed this action, asserting that the attribution of “invented” names does not change the established fact that the state remains an inseparable and enduring part of India.

Methods executed by China for territorial influence and hegemony

• Salami Slicing: This tactic involves making a series of seemingly small territorial claims over time. Each individual claim may appear insignificant, but the cumulative effect is a gradual erosion of disputed territory. China has been accused of using salami slicing in the South China Sea, where it has built outposts on contested reefs and islets. These outposts, while seemingly small, allow China to establish a physical presence, potentially restrict freedom of navigation for other countries, and lay the groundwork for further territorial claims.
• Wolf Warrior Diplomacy:  This aggressive diplomatic approach involves strong-armed rhetoric, public shaming of rivals, and a nationalistic stance.  China’s “Wolf Warrior” diplomats aim to project power and deflect criticism on the international stage. While intended to intimidate, it can also backfire and isolate China. This approach can damage relations with other countries, hinder opportunities for peaceful resolution of disputes, and create an atmosphere of tension in the region.
• Artificial Island Creation: China has been constructing and militarising artificial islands in disputed parts of the South China Sea. These islands serve a dual purpose: establishing a physical presence and potentially bolstering China’s territorial claims. This strategy has been met with international condemnation as it disrupts the freedom of navigation in the region, raises concerns about potential militarisation, and sets a precedent for other countries to potentially follow suit.
• Debt-Trap Diplomacy: China extends substantial loans to developing countries for infrastructure projects. However, critics argue these loans come with hidden costs, potentially creating a situation where debtor nations become beholden to China. This economic leverage could then be used to pressure countries into territorial concessions or political alignment with China. Debt-trap diplomacy raises concerns about the exploitation of developing countries and the potential creation of a sphere of Chinese economic influence.

Dispute between India and China

• For decades, a complex territorial dispute has simmered along the 3,488-kilometre India-China border. Two key regions are at the heart of the disagreement:

1. Aksai Chin: This western territory is administered by China but claimed by India as part of Ladakh.  Its strategic importance stems from its location near the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its potential use as a military route.
2. Arunachal Pradesh:  China claims the entire northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, referring to it as “South Tibet.”  India, however, firmly governs this region and considers it an inseparable part of its territory.

• Vague Demarcation: The 3,488-kilometre border between India and China is a source of tension due to a lack of clear demarcation. There’s no universally agreed upon “Line of Actual Control” (LAC) in some areas. This LAC emerged after the 1962 war between the two nations. The India-China border can be divided into three sectors:

1. Western Sector: This region encompasses Ladakh.
2. Middle Sector: This sector comprises Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
3. Eastern Sector: Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim fall under this sector.

China’s “String of Pearls” strategy

• It denotes a geopolitical and strategic endeavour aimed at establishing a network of ports and maritime infrastructure facilities in key locations across the Indian Ocean. 
• These facilities are either funded, owned, or controlled by China and serve to enhance its maritime presence and influence in the region.
• Prominent locations associated with China’s String of Pearls include Gwadar Port in Pakistan, Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, Chittagong Port in Bangladesh, and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. 
• These strategically positioned facilities enable China to exert greater influence over maritime trade routes and enhance its naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean.

Five Fingers of Tibet

China’s strategic approach to Tibet extends beyond the region itself. The concept of “Five Fingers of Tibet” is a metaphor that depicts Tibet as a palm, with five surrounding areas acting as fingers that China seeks to control or influence. These “fingers” represent:

• Ladakh: Controlling Ladakh grants China a land bridge to Pakistan, strengthening their strategic partnership.
• Nepal: Influence over Nepal provides China with a strategic foothold near India’s heartland.
• Sikkim: Dominating Sikkim would allow China to sever the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow strip of land connecting India’s northeastern states to the mainland, effectively isolating them.
• Bhutan: Controlling Bhutan would bring China closer to Bangladesh, potentially opening a route to the Bay of Bengal and bolstering China’s regional presence.
• Arunachal Pradesh: Gaining control over Arunachal Pradesh would enable China to dominate India’s northeast, significantly expanding its military reach and strategic influence in the region.

String of Pearls strategy

• The concept of China’s “String of Pearls” pertains to a geopolitical and strategic strategy focused on establishing a network of ports and other maritime infrastructure facilities across strategic positions in the Indian Ocean. These facilities are financed, owned, or managed by China and serve to bolster its maritime presence and influence in the region.
• Key locations linked to China’s String of Pearls include Gwadar Port in Pakistan, Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, Chittagong Port in Bangladesh, and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. These sites are strategically selected to enhance China’s access to maritime trade routes and to strengthen its naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean.

Measure taken by India to counter China’s strategy

• Global Alliances: India is building partnerships with democratic nations like the QUAD and I2U2 to address China’s influence in the Indian Ocean.
• Alternative Trade Routes: India is developing corridors like the IMEC and supporting the INSTC to offer alternatives to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its strategic ports.
• Countering China’s Military Strategy: India’s “Necklace of Diamonds” strategy aims to counter China’s “String of Pearls” by strengthening its naval presence and regional diplomatic ties.
• Strengthening Border Infrastructure: India is rapidly improving its border infrastructure through the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to bolster its position along the disputed border. These projects focus on regions like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 15th April 2024

Prelims practise question

Q1. Siachen Glacier is situated on the:

(a) East of Aksai Chin

(b) East of Leh

(c) North of Gilgit

(d) North of Nubra Valley

Answer: D

Mains practise question

Q1. Can the “Golden Arches Theory” of infrastructure development, which advocates for economic integration as a means to foster peace and stability, be applied to the India-China context? Why or why not?

Himanshu Mishra

I am a content developer and have done my Post Graduation in Political Science. I have given 2 UPSC mains, 1 IB ACIO interview and have cleared UGC NET JRF too.