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International Relations for Prelims : PT 365 Part 1

Clarity for UPSC by Dr.Shivin・45 minutes read

The course covers China's geostrategic challenge to India and India's efforts to counter with soft power, border conflicts, and military presence in the Indian Ocean. China's checkbook diplomacy, the South China Sea dispute, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are significant factors in the international relations course by Vision.

Insights

  • China's rising power in the region poses a challenge to India, leading to border conflicts and disputes over territorial control, with mechanisms like the McMahon Line and Line of Actual Control being focal points.
  • India strategically counters China's influence through soft power approaches, emphasizing cultural ties and historical connections with neighboring countries, while also focusing on military presence in the Indian Ocean to safeguard key trade routes and build alliances with countries like Vietnam and Japan.

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Recent questions

  • What are the key initiatives of BIMSTEC?

    BIMSTEC focuses on India's neighborhood and key initiatives.

  • How does India counter China's influence?

    India counters China's influence with soft power.

  • What is the McMahon Line?

    The McMahon Line delineates the border between India and China.

  • What is the South China Sea dispute about?

    The South China Sea dispute revolves around historical claims and economic interests.

  • What is the significance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor?

    The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a significant project.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

India-China Relations: Geostrategic Challenges and Conflicts

  • The course on International Relations by Vision covers various topics, with part one focusing on India's neighborhood and key initiatives like BIMSTEC.
  • China's rising power poses a geostrategic challenge to India, engaging in checkbook diplomacy to fund infrastructure projects in neighboring countries.
  • India counters China's influence with soft power, emphasizing cultural ties and historical connections with the region.
  • Border conflicts between India and China stem from their growing dominance in Asia, with disputes over the Line of Actual Control and differing perceptions of borders.
  • The McMahon Line delineates the border between India and China, with ongoing disputes in regions like Arunachal Pradesh and the Western Sector.
  • China's strategy of salami slicing involves incremental territorial gains, while both countries avoid direct conflict due to international perceptions.
  • Mechanisms like the 1993, 1996, 2005, 2012, and 2013 agreements aim to settle border disputes and build confidence between India and China.
  • India's military presence in the Indian Ocean, particularly in the Strait of Malacca, aims to counter China's influence and control over key trade routes.
  • China's string of pearls strategy involves securing ports and alliances in the region to counter India's efforts in building a network of diamond ports with allies like Vietnam and Japan.
  • The South China Sea dispute revolves around historical claims and economic interests, with China asserting control over the entire region based on historical rights.

25:15

Tensions in South China Sea and Indo-Pacific

  • The dominant power in the region does not agree to an exclusive economic zone and is in disagreement with the Philippines and India regarding the South China Sea.
  • China is creating artificial islands in the South China Sea, claiming them and escalating tensions with neighboring countries like Malaysia and Vietnam.
  • ASEAN and China are urged to resolve disputes peacefully, with recent incidents involving the Philippines and Chinese vessels.
  • The Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is established through the 1972 Shimla Agreement.
  • The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a significant project, with China accused of human rights violations in the region.
  • India is focusing on developing connectivity with countries like Bangladesh and Nepal for strategic purposes.
  • The Indo-Pacific region is crucial, with India advocating for a free, open, and inclusive approach.
  • India's stance on the One China Policy involves maintaining official documents and agreements while engaging with Taiwan unofficially.
  • China's strategy in the South China Sea involves creating a chain of artificial islands to contain its influence.
  • Hong Kong and Macau have special administrative regions with democratic rights under the Basic Law, but China aims for their integration.

48:43

Indus Water Treaty and India-Pakistan Relations

  • China has complete control over Taiwan, maintaining Strategic Ambiguity in dealing with China.
  • Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat share borders with Pakistan.
  • The Indus Water Treaty was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank.
  • India is the upper riparian state in the treaty, with Pakistan being the lower riparian state.
  • The treaty allows unrestricted use of the Western rivers by Pakistan and the Eastern rivers by India.
  • Dispute settlement mechanisms in the treaty include the Indus Commission, neutral experts, and an orbital tribunal.
  • India's construction of the Kishanganga and Ratle projects on the Jhelum and Chenab rivers led to disputes with Pakistan.
  • The World Bank appointed a neutral expert and a President of the Court of Arbitration to resolve disputes between India and Pakistan.
  • The Shimla Agreement outlines principles for India-Pakistan relations, emphasizing sovereignty, non-interference, and peaceful dispute resolution.
  • The Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir is not an international border, and the Kashmir issue should be resolved bilaterally.

01:05:21

China's CPEC and Pakistan's Economic Challenges

  • China practices checkbook diplomacy by offering infrastructure projects to countries like Pakistan through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
  • CPEC is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to link South Africa and Europe through a network of land and maritime routes.
  • Pakistan's Gilgit Baltistan region is a contentious area occupied by Pakistan, leading to criticism from India due to its strategic importance for CPEC.
  • Pakistan's economic crisis is exacerbated by heavy debt servicing, with 42% of the budget allocated to debt payments.
  • IMF conditions for Pakistan's bailout include market-driven exchange rates and fiscal consolidation, impacting the country's economic stability and growth prospects.
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