The Doklam crisis continues to simmer. Indian and Chinese troops pelted stones at each other at Ladakh. The Chinese have made incursions into demilitarised zones and at Barhati in Uttarakhand. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) looks poised to occupy a border territory. The Chinese Communist Party Congress will meet later this year and Beijing is preparing for a show of strength against India. Such beating of drums calls for strict Indian vigilance. Of course, armed conflict should be avoided at any cost as India’s external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj keeps on saying. But Beijing may resort to psychological warfare and cyber rattling. The hot words on Doklam and Chinese pin pricks in other areas indicate a pressure strategy adopted by Beijing. New Delhi has to combat this strategy head on. China must not be allowed to establish overlordship in Asia. The objective of forming an India, China and Russia troyka seems illusory.
The global outlook appears to be inclined towards India. The US has decided to elevate strategic consultations with India through a new 2-by-2 ministerial dialogue. It is good news. India is also trying to strengthen ties with ASEAN nations. Many of them are not favourably disposed towards China and these include Tokyo, Djakarta, Hanoi and Taipei. China is also at a disadvantage for a trade surplus with most nations in the region. India is a victim. Chinese goods and components are swamping its markets and anti-dumping is not possible. There have also been security and data leaks. India is reviewing import of Chinese IT gizmos and appliances which may help hacking and securing sensitive, confidential information. At the same time, Beijing will be ill advised to start a trade war with India. Still, regardless of adverse circumstances, India should not relax its diplomatic moves to improve economic collaboration with China.