Sino Indian relations stapled on Visa

India and China both have shared undoubtedly a great commerce and trade and cultural relationship since the mankind evolution has set in. Both countries have seen a tremendous growth in economy, both stores the capabilities to emerge as the global superpower in the 21 century. But not everything is favoring their aspersions as there are certain misunderstandings, confusion and uncertainties arising in their bilateral relations. Both China and India holds common grounds on issues like global warming, world economy, international trade etc. The trade between the two countries is growing profusely at the rate of 45 % and has touched 60 billion $ at the end of fourth quarter of year 2010. 

On the negative side, even after 14 bilateral negotiations on boundary dispute both countries has yet to draw out an acceptable solution. China maintains its claim over the 90,000 km territory of Arunachal Pradesh at the same time India claims its authority on the Askai Chin in the middle sector, the matter of fact is that china conquered the disputed area of Askai chin in the fateful battle of 1962 from India, though china returned all other occupied areas but did not returned this. Also China does not recognize India sovereignty over Sikkim or as China call it by the name of “Finger Area”.  Though China had accepted India’s sovereignty over Sikkim in 2005 but no official statement was made from it side. 

On the other hand India is wary about China’s presence in the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan occupied Kashmir in north west as Pakistan has lend landmass of about 5,000 sq km to china in this area. There are reports of about 11,000 Chinese troops being present in this region and china is construction 22 secret tunnels in this area. China is also constructing a railway line alongside Karakoram highway, now this raises security concern for India. 

Presently both china and India appear to be involved in some kind of strategic competition. Both are assumed as the rising powers of the word, together both constitutes about 34 % of world population, and are seen as second and third largest developing economy respectively of world at present. In the last 20 years China’s economy has displayed an unprecedented and exceptional growth. China has an ambition of becoming global power and hence it has started pursuing that goal with all sincerity. China interprets that it can not attain its goal of becoming super power until it develops deeper influence in the major part of the world. Presently China is concentrating all its focus towards the South East Asia and Africa. China with the help of tools like economic assistance, investment and trade, is trying to make a favorable image in these areas. With commendable and sincere efforts China has gained a strong foothold in almost all countries surrounding India. This policy of China of encirclement of India is long familiar as “Strings of Pearls”. China has been granted transport facilities at Gwadar port of Pakistan, thus it has direct access to the sea routes surrounding India. Also it has deployed its navy on the Somalian coast to help Somalia fighting pirates shrouding its principle intentions. China has also gained a strong bridgehead in Nepal due to acclivity of Maoist in the country and is already been benefited by the grant of crucial port facilities in nations like Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.  

The other irritant in the relationship is the issuing of special stapled visa for the residents and denying visa to the officials of Indian army posted in Jammu and Kashmir. The stapled visa is basically a separate paper stapled on the common visa. The reason that China gives is that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory and since no consensus has been reached out together by Pakistan and India on the issue, J & K will cease to be part of India, and china is not going to accept India’s sovereignty over it in any case. At the same time china does not considered visa mandatory for the people of Arunachal Pradesh as it conceives Arunachal Pradesh its own territory, contrary to it, Indians are required to carry visa if in case they have to visit Arunachal Pradesh. India has certainly raised objections in relation to the matter but it has been a typical Chinese policy that first they commit some objectionable activity and later they would deny it or downplay it with absurd explanations. 

The world acknowledges India’s authority over the state of Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh excluding China, there were no such instance alike from other countries of the world denying the people of Jammu and Kashmir the standardized visa to natives of J & k, China alone sees the trouble in it. Many times Chinese websites have also shown Arunachal Pradesh as her integral part and map of India excluding J & K region. Resentments from Indian side have time and again forced China to correct herself. These are the major issues hindering the cooperation and development process between the two economies, where China enjoys the advantage of being a hard power, India too have its own advantage of being a soft power as India is appreciated for its democratic order, ideal foreign policy and respect of cultural values.

It is be underlined that in the entire history of the world, no country has succeeded in assuming global power status when confronted by equally strong neighbor. China must also understand that a humble India would be better for her strategic goals. Both countries store the potential to be a great economy and great nation. Both can develop and grow hand in hand. As honorable PM Man Mohan Singh has quoted “the world is big enough for both countries to develop and flourish”