India and China, the two Asian giants and the forthcoming superpowers, are hooked in a tussle for dominance. This involves a multi-facet struggle on diplomatic, economic, and security fronts. Being the oldest civilizations, both nations aspire to reclaim their lost legacies, though through completely antithetic approaches. India aspires to be a global power through cooperation, while China aspires to global dominance through hegemony. This stark difference in approaches is reflective of the leadership in both countries. India is headed by an elected representative of 1.4 billion Indians, while China is controlled by a dictator for life. Despite such distinctions, PM Modi and Xi are turning figures in their respective nations. Both upturned decades-long policies for their respective countries. These transitions were on display amidst the border conflict between the two nations. Here, we’ll look at the change in mindset of two leaders vis-à-vis the Chumar and Doklam crises.
CHUMAR VALLEY STANDOFF: THE INITIAL FACEOFF
The Chumar Valley standoff in 2014 refers to a border dispute and military standoff between India and China that took place in the Chumar sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh region. This standoff marked the first faceoff between PM Modi and Dictator Xi. Many believed this was a water-testing moment for Xi and PM Modi. Xi had ascended to president in 2013, while PM Modi entered the office just four months before this standoff. This standoff was regarded as a litmus test for the border policy of the Modi government vis-à-vis Chinese border intrusions. The standoff started on September 10, 2014. It was initiated when the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) flouted the 2005 border protocol by attempting to construct a road in the “disputed area” ahead of Chepzi towards Chumar.
This deceitful attempt by the Chinese was intercepted and outmanoeuvred by the vigilant Indian forces that blocked the Chinese construction. The acuity of the Indian border forces came as a shocker for the Chinese, who were habituated to their salami-slicing tactics in the Indian border areas. Moreover, it also sent a loud and clear message to Beijing that its border mischiefs will not go unanswered under the newly established Modi government. Soon enough, 1500 Indian soldiers stood eyeball-to-eyeball with a heavily outnumbered 750 PLA troops. The standoff lasted for 16 days and was finally resolved after a series of intense diplomatic and military negotiations. This involved foreign ministers meeting along with military-grade, major general-level talks. Finally, both sides agreed to disengage and maintain the status quo ante. Withdrawals began on September 26 and wrapped up on September 30.
THE DOKLAM STANDOFF: STATING THE INTENTIONS
The Doklam standoff was a border dispute between India and China that occurred in 2017. It took place in the Doklam region, which is a tri-junction area between India, China, and Bhutan. The dispute arose when Chinese troops attempted to construct a road in an area claimed by Bhutan but also strategically important to India. The area is surrounded by Bhutan’s Ha Valley, Tibet’s (China’s) Chumbi Valley and the Indian state of Sikkim. The plateau’s southernmost ridge slopes into the Siliguri Corridor, which is known as India’s Chicken Neck. A narrow strip less than 20 miles wide connects the country’s central mass to its northeastern states. This fact alone is enough to state the gravity of the situation. China occupying Doklam means it could bisect the corridor, cutting off 45 million Indians. Even though it was on Bhutan’s territory, its implications for Indian national security were far-reaching.
Doklam Standoff Location.
Addressing this intrusion on its territory, Bhutan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it violated earlier agreements and called for a return to the status quo. But all its requests fall on deaf ears. Being a small country and bordered by China’s debt trap, Bhutan wasn’t able to take any significant measures apart from issuing statements. It was when India came to Bhutan’s rescue. Without mincing its words, India denounced the Chinese intrusion. Moreover, it also mobilised its forces and physically obstructed the construction of roads. The Indian force even damaged the entire newly built road by the Chinese engineers in Doklam. Such an aggressive move by India awestruck not only the Chinese but the entire world. The world was witnessing India taking up the bully China head-on. It was a watershed moment, as very few countries have been eager to confront China’s regional ambitions directly with military forces.
Dumbstruck by India’s proactive, aggressive response, China went on with its usual intimidation tactics. China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, issued a warning to India to withdraw as a precondition for any broader talks. He further stated that the solution to this issue is simple: “That is, behave yourself and humbly retreat.” Despite all the bluff and bluster, India remained adamant and maintained its position. This showed India’s resolve to flout China’s wishes and ignore its threats. The standoff continued for 73 days, from June 16 to August 28, and after failing to intimidate India, China blinked. Setting aside its initial demand that India unilaterally withdraws its troops, eventually, China was forced to sit down for table talks. This was a major Indian victory over Chinese misadventures. Finally, both sides agreed to withdraw on August 28, returning to their pre-16 June positions, and China agreed to stop its road construction project.
TAKEAWAYS: PM MODI V. DICTATOR XI
Both of the above-mentioned standoffs are unparalleled incidents for many reasons. First and foremost, it was at a time when both PM Modi and Dictator Xi had just acquired power in their respective countries. So it was to see what policies and what path they take their country on. These two incidents serve as classic examples for analysing the policies of their respective leaders. A few major takeaways are:
- One of the striking shifts under the current government is in its approach to border infrastructure. Under the previous government, India had a very indifferent approach regarding border infrastructure. In fact, in 2013, former defence minister A.K. Antony admitted that the previous governments intentionally underdeveloped border infrastructure because it would make it easy for the Chinese to ingress into Indian territory. Such a defeatist mentality was the prime reason China was able to carry out its salami-slicing tactics on the Indian border with impunity. Lack of infrastructure hindered the Indian troop’s ability to respond appropriately to any Chinese misadventures. Under the Modi government, this approach was overturned, and optimum focus was given to border infrastructure. This was reflected in the budget allotted for border infrastructure, which increased from Rs 3782 crore in 2013–14 to Rs 14,387 crore in 2023–24. This is almost an increase of four times.
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Former Defence Minister A.K Antony admitted that the previous governments intentionally underdeveloped border infrastructure.
- India, under PM Modi, abandoned its decade-long pacifist approach regarding border disputes with China. Previously, the government policy regarding border disputes was reactive and denialist. Lack of diplomatic manoeuvring and restricting armed forces to act plagued our response to border intrusions. But, under PM Modi, Indian border policy was overhauled and became proactive and comprehensive, supplemented with a robust diplomatic approach. Meanwhile, under Xi, China has become more hawkish and belligerent in its overall policies in domestic and foreign affairs. Flouting international norms and dishonouring established agreements with countries became a trademark of Xi’s China.
- Another accomplishment of the current political dispensation is the rise in India’s diplomatic heft. It’s fair to say that India today enjoys a special position in the diplomatic arena. With the rise in its economic and independent foreign policy, India became a major global player. Enhanced bilateral and multilateral engagement has made Indian diplomacy more robust and efficient. Being a key member of QUAD and, at the same time, of BRICS and SCO supplemented India’s diplomatic manoeuvring. This was also reflected in the border disputes with China. India enjoyed overwhelming support from Western nations, ASEAN, and other major countries, while China was isolated. This was a testament to India’s successful diplomacy and is considered another feather in the hat of the Modi government. China, on the other hand, following Xi’s rogue policies, has become more isolated and even considered a threat to the global rule-based order.
CONCLUSION
By analysing the two standoffs mentioned above, one could get an insight into the mindset of PM Modi and Dictator Xi. Both leaders brought massive changes to their policies for their respective countries. Under the leadership of PM Modi, India emerged as a firm and independent nation. On the other hand, under Xi, China lost its goodwill and global acceptability. Even on the economic front, India rose from the 10th spot to the 5th spot in the global GDP ranking, and by 2028, India will be the 3rd largest economy. China under Xi has stagnated in terms of economic growth. In fact, many economists believe China will never overtake the US, which once seemed like a real possibility. Furthermore, India exposed the myth of the fierce dragon, which in fact turned out to be a paper dragon. India showed the world how to confront China’s bullying and trounce its misadventures.
