On July 26, 2024, the Chinese Ambassador to India made a notable statement by referring to India as an “independent Major country.” This designation, while seemingly appreciative, carries deep geopolitical implications that warrant thorough examination, especially in the context of China’s broader diplomatic strategies, particularly its “Great Power Diplomacy” and “Major Country Diplomacy.” These terms are often used interchangeably by China, reflecting its aspirations and self-perception as a leading global power. China’s acknowledgement of India as a “Major Country” might carry complex implications, particularly in light of the shifting geopolitical environment and the expanding strategic partnership between India and the United States.
Understanding China’s Great Power Diplomacy and Major Country Diplomacy
To fully grasp the implications of China’s labelling of India as a “Major Country,” it is essential to understand the broader concepts of China’s Great Power Diplomacy and Major Country Diplomacy. These diplomatic frameworks are central to China’s foreign policy, reflecting its ambitions to reshape the global order in a manner that better aligns with its interests.
Great Power Diplomacy refers to China’s efforts to assert itself as a leading global power, capable of influencing global governance, shaping international norms, and protecting its national interests on the world stage. Xi Jinping’s foreign policy has consistently highlighted China’s status as a significant global player. This strategy is marked by China’s vigorous involvement in international organizations, the promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the creation of alternative institutions like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Through Great Power Diplomacy, China seeks to project itself as an indispensable player in global affairs, often positioning itself as a counterbalance to the United States.
Major Country Diplomacy or Major Power Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics, on the other hand, is a term that China uses to describe its engagement with other significant global players, recognizing the importance of multilateralism and the need to work with other “major countries” to address global challenges. This concept reflects China’s acknowledgement that the global order is not solely dictated by a single superpower but rather by a concert of influential states. The concept was first referred to by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Second World Peace Forum in 2013. According to Wang, Major Country Diplomacy emphasizes the importance of mutual respect, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, non-interference, and cooperation among leading nations, with China positioning itself as a central node in this network of powers. However, China has violated every tenet of Major Power Diplomacy while dealing with India. It has time and again tried to violate India’s territorial integrity, has regularly interfered in India’s internal matters including elections.
While these two concepts are distinct, they are closely related and often used interchangeably by Chinese officials. Both frameworks are underpinned by the idea that China, as a rising power, seeks to reshape the global order to reflect its interests and values. However, the designation of other countries as “major” within this framework can carry different connotations, depending on the context and the specific diplomatic objectives at play.
The Significance of India Being Called a “Major Country”
The Chinese Ambassador’s reference to India as a “Major Country” is significant for several reasons. Primarily, this signifies recognition of India’s increasing impact on the international arena. With its significant population, strong economy, and strategic positioning in the Indo-Pacific region, India has long been viewed as a prospective global power. In recent times, India’s economic advancement, alongside its engaged role in global platforms like the G20, BRICS, and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), has reinforced its position as a crucial participant in global matters.
For China to recognize India as a “Major Country” is an acknowledgment of this reality. However, this recognition is not a sign of goodwill or a desire for closer cooperation. Instead, it reflects China’s strategic calculation that India is an important player that cannot be ignored, especially in the context of the evolving global balance of power. Moreover, the timing of this designation is crucial. It comes at a time when India has been deepening its defense ties with the United States, a development that has not gone unnoticed by Beijing.
The Geopolitical Implications of India’s Growing Defense Ties with the United States
In recent years, the defense ties between India and the United States have significantly strengthened, highlighted by the establishment of several pivotal agreements that have enhanced military collaboration. These agreements include the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), Security of Supply Agreement (SOSA), and the Memorandum of Agreement on the Assignment of Liaison Officers. These accords have improved interoperability between the Indian and U.S. military forces, fostering closer cooperation in areas like intelligence sharing, maintenance, logistics, joint exercises, and defense technology transfers. As a result, the Indian Navy has commenced operational deployments to the South China Sea, with recent missions in May 2024 involving the INS Delhi (guided missile destroyer), INS Deepak (fleet tanker), and INS Kiltan (anti-submarine warfare corvette), which included port visits to Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei. Additionally, India and the U.S. have conducted their joint military exercise, “Yudh Abhyas,” near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
China has expressed concern over these developments, as they might threaten its strategic standing in the region. Beijing perceives the growing defense relationship between India and the U.S. as part of America’s strategy to counter China’s ascent by bolstering its alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. From China’s viewpoint, India’s collaboration with the United States, especially in the defense sector, marks a notable shift in the regional power dynamics, potentially challenging China’s strategic interests.
China’s Strategic Calculations: Balancing Cooperation and Competition with India
China’s choice to label India as a “Major Country” could be part of a broader strategy to navigate its intricate relationship with India. Acknowledging India’s significance as a regional force and a key global player, China’s designation of India as a “Major Country” allows it to present itself as a responsible global actor, open to collaborating with other leading nations on shared issues. However, this designation doesn’t necessarily signal a move toward deeper cooperation. Rather, it may represent a pragmatic recognition of India’s inevitable rise as a global power, prompting China to adjust its diplomatic strategy accordingly.
The persistent border disputes between India and China, especially the standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), continue to be a major point of contention in their bilateral relations. Although numerous negotiations have taken place, the two nations have yet to achieve a durable resolution, with recent military clashes worsening the situation. China’s labelling of India as a “Major Country” does not indicate a readiness to compromise on these disputes. Rather, it reflects an acknowledgment of India’s significant stature and the need for careful engagement.
Additionally, China’s reference might be a strategy to offset India’s increasing strategic alignment with the United States. By recognizing India’s status as a major global player, China may be seeking to engage India in a way that limits the extent to which it partners with U.S. strategic objectives. This approach is consistent with China’s broader strategy of balancing competition and cooperation with other major powers, as seen in its relationships with countries such as Russia and Japan.
Conclusion
China’s classification of India as a “Major Country” has wider ramifications for the future of their bilateral relations. Although the label might appear to be a simple diplomatic courtesy, it holds considerable geopolitical significance, especially given the ongoing power dynamics between China and the United States. For India, being recognized as a “Major Country” by China is both an opportunity and a challenge. On the one hand, it represents an acknowledgement of India’s growing influence on the global stage and its importance in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific region. On the other hand, it also highlights the complexities of India’s strategic choices, particularly in the context of its relationship with the United States.
As India strengthens its defence relations with the United States, it faces the challenge of balancing its engagement with China, a significant regional power, while also aligning with the U.S.-led security framework in the Indo-Pacific. China’s acknowledgement of India as a “Major Country” may enhance India’s negotiating position with Beijing but also highlights the need for India to adeptly manage its interactions with both China and the U.S.
The broader consequences of this designation impact more than just the India-China relationship. In the Indo-Pacific context, recognizing India as a “Major Country” indicates shifting regional power dynamics. As the U.S. and China compete for influence in the region, India’s role as a pivotal state will be increasingly crucial in determining the future of regional stability.
