GS Paper 2
Syllabus: International Relations
Source: IE
Context: After over a year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, new concerns are being raised about Beijing’s probable willingness to support Moscow militarily.
Russia-China relations:
- Both pledged their commitment to a “no limits” friendship.
- According to China’s Foreign Ministry, the China-Russia partnership is established on the basis of non-alignment, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third parties.
China’s position on the Russian war on Ukraine:
- China has refused to criticize Russia.
- Russia was provoked into taking action by NATO’s westward expansion.
- Russian and Chinese forces have held joint military drills since Russia invaded Ukraine.
- At the same time, it insists that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations must be upheld.
- Thus, China has tried to walk a fine and often contradictory line – presenting itself as a country striving for peace in Ukraine publicly but privately aiding and abetting Russia’s war effort.
Has China provided material support to Russia?
- So far, China’s support for Russia has been rhetorical and political. For example, preventing efforts to condemn Moscow at the UN.
- However, the US has long been concerned that China would provide weapons to Russia.
How has China responded to allegations of providing military aid to Russia?
- According to China’s Foreign Ministry, it has always played a constructive role in the Ukraine conflict by adhering to principles, encouraging peace and promoting talks.
- The US is adding fuel to the fire to take advantage of the opportunity to make profits.
What could happen if China aids Russia?
- Impact on US-China ties: As the USA’s efforts limit Chinese access to the microprocessors and continued challenge to Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea, the Chinese military aid to Russia will further deteriorate their ties.
- For China: The most sensitive issue is US support for Taiwan, which is a major customer for US defensive arms.
- For India: As Delhi is already worried about the Russia-China bonding that has emerged in recent years, China’s military aid can increase India’s tensions.
Source: TH
Context: Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea is sparking an increasing number of protests.
Background:
● The South China Sea (SCS) is important not just to its littoral countries, it has been a transit point for trade since early medieval times, and contains rich reserves (fisheries, minerals and hydrocarbon).
● The Philippines invoked the dispute settlement mechanism of the UNCLOS (in 2013) to test the legality of China’s ‘nine-dash line’ regarding the disputed Spratlys.
● In response, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague (in 2016) ordered that the line had “no legal basis,” as it violated the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
● China dismissed the judgment.
● It would seem like the ASEAN nations are aligning themselves with China given their expanding economic relations, there is rising discontent in reality.
India’s relevant options:
● Foreign and security policy in its larger neighbourhood covers the entire Asia-Pacific and extends to the Persian Gulf and West Asia.
● India is the fulcrum of the region between the Suez and Shanghai, between West and East Asia, and between the Mediterranean and the SCS.
● The SCS carries merchandise to and from India and India has a stake in the SCS, just as China has in the Indian Ocean.
● Therefore, India must continue to actively –
○ Pursue its defence diplomacy outreach in the Indo-Pacific region,
○ Increase military training and conduct exercises and exchanges,
○ Extend Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief activities,
○ Share patrolling of the Malacca Strait with the littoral countries, etc.
○ Conclude the Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with remaining ASEAN nations (Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore).
○ Strengthen the military capacity of the tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Command.
Conclusion: Given the balance of power in the region, more attention should be paid to bilateral conflict resolution and the ongoing development of an ASEAN-wide code of conduct.
Insta Links:
Lessons from Russia’s Ukraine war
Mains Links:
‘China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour. (UPSC 2017)
Prelims Links: (UPSC 2018)
Consider the following pairs :
| Regions sometimes mentioned in the news | Country |
| 1. Catalonia | Spain |
| 2. Crimea | Hungary |
| 3. Mindanao | Philippines |
| 4. Oromia | Nigeria |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- 1, 2 and 3
- 3 and 4 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 4 only
Ans: 3
