India–China Relations ( UPSC Prelims)

News Context

● 75 Years of Diplomatic Ties: The Chinese President advocated for a "Dragon-Elephant tango" to represent a harmonious partnership between India and China.
● Dragon-Elephant Tango: This metaphor signifies a vision of peaceful and cooperative relations between the two nations.
● SCO Summit 2025: The Indian Prime Minister and Chinese President met in Tianjin, China. This marked the Indian Prime Minister's first visit to China since 2018.

India-China Relations: Key Facts

● Trade: China stands as India's largest trading partner, resulting in a notable trade deficit for India.
        ○ Trade routes via Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand), Shipki La Pass (Himachal Pradesh), and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim) are set to reopen.
  ● Border Issues:
        ○ The Line of Actual Control (LAC) serves as the unofficial boundary between India and China, lacking formal demarcation and mutual agreement.
        ○ India estimates the LAC to be 3,488 km, while China claims it is approximately 2,000 km.
        ○ The LAC is segmented into three sectors:
      ● Western Sector (Ladakh): India recognizes the Johnson Line (1865), whereas China asserts the Macartney-MacDonald Line (1899).
      ● Middle Sector (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand): This area is largely undisputed.
      ● Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim): China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. The LAC here follows the McMahon Line from the Simla Convention of 1914.
  ● Military Engagements:
        ○ Joint military exercises, such as Hand-in-Hand, have been paused following tensions in 2020.
  ● The String of Pearls:
        ○ This strategy involves China establishing a network of commercial and military assets in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to secure energy routes and extend influence.
        ○ China has developed port facilities in nations like Pakistan (Gwadar), Sri Lanka (Hambantota), Bangladesh (Chittagong), and Myanmar (Sittwe and Coco Islands), and maintains a military base in Djibouti.
  ● Territorial Tactics:
        ○ China employs South China Sea-Style "Salami Slicing" tactics in the Yellow Sea to incrementally capture territory.
  ● India’s Response – Necklace of Diamonds Strategy:
    ● Naval Bases and Access: Development in locations such as Iran (Chabahar), Oman, and Singapore (Changi Naval Base).
    ● Strengthening Regional Partnerships: Through the Act East Policy and enhanced relations with ASEAN, Japan, and Australia. Strategic alliances via Quad and Indo-Pacific initiatives.
    ● SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR represent India's vision for maritime cooperation.

China’s Hydropower Project on the Brahmaputra River

● China initiated the construction of the Medog mega dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet.
○ The river is known as the Brahmaputra in India.

About the Medog Hydropower Project

● Scale and Capacity: Expected to exceed the Three Gorges Dam in size, becoming the largest in the world.
○ Potential to produce up to three times the energy compared to the current largest dam.

Existing River Water Cooperation Mechanism between India and China

● Expert Level Mechanism (2006): Yearly discussions on flood season data, emergency protocols, and transborder river issues.
● Hydrological Data Sharing on Sutlej: The MoU includes data from June to October from a Tibetan station. It expired in 2020, and its renewal is still pending.
● Umbrella MoU (2013): Extended the data period for the Brahmaputra and Sutlej from 15 May to 15 October, offering a more comprehensive framework for water cooperation.