India China Relations: The Game of Wei Qi

Wei Qi, is the world`s oldest and perhaps the most Complicated Board Game, which now goes by the name of 'GO'. Played on a 19*19 grid with 361 pieces, the Chinese name roughly translates to "The Encirclement Game". The basic aim of this game is Territorial Acquisition by slowly encircling certain areas of the board and make your move to remove your opponents pieces, one by one by outflanking his 'Liberties', basically cutting off, one piece at a time. The game is the reflection of Chinese Strategy, Culture & Operational Tactics and coupled with Deception, flexibility & sudden unpredictable moves, the Chinese play out the game in the field of geopolitics, especially so with its rising neighbor India.

The Chinese are literally playing out the Game with India at multiple fronts by first, keeping the Border Conflict Open, to make moves and cause embarrassment to the Indians as per will, at a time of their choosing with a very convenient interpretation of LAC, by making Pakistan, India`s eternal enemy its all weather friend that Includes the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which runs through Indian territory, illegally ceded to china on which a highway is being constructed which will give china access to the Gwadar Port. China has also its eyes on the India Ocean and in a bid to encircle India, it has developed the "String of pearls" around Indian assets, mostly Masquerading as Commercial activities. the Psychological Operations (Psy Ops) are now a constant. In spite of all the Economic Cooperation and growing together for decades, the mistrust is definitely there and India must be ready as per the Parabellum paradigm of  'Si vis Pacem, Para bellum"  which translates to " If you want Peace, you should prepare for War".

India China Land Border Dispute
The India China Border dispute is a very Complex matter and has many dimensions to it, including ones which involve our erstwhile Imperial Rulers, the British India. Tibet was a buffer state between the two Imperial countries of Britain & Russia, and both Britain & Russia had many Business interests and had imposed many Unequal treaties on the Chinese by force during their Imperial Era. there was never a clear demarcated area between British India & china because of the presence of Tibet. The Shimla agreement in 1914, was supposed to be a tripartite agreement between British India, China & Tibet where Indo Tibet Border was accepted at McMahon Line & British India allowed China Suzerainty over Tibet( 
Tibet.

Cut to Post Independence, India became a free Nation and was making strides as the Global level leading efforts like Non-Alignment Movement in a post War Ideologically divided World, but the capture of Tibet by China changed everything. China Unilaterally started construction of a road into Aksai Chin, still India continued the Policy of accepting Chinese Suzerainty over Tibet and even promoted China into World League by a seat in UNSC. China, with its expansionist mindset and deception, attacked India unilaterally in 1962 while sweet talking India about Panchsheel & 'Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai' all this time. It was a damning blow to the psyche of the New Nation, however India recovered and more than gave a Bloody Nose in future Skirmishes with the Chinese. However today, we have a LAC, where both countries have differing perceptions and China Slyly keeps making attempts to encroach our land in the name of perception, the Current Conflict in Galwan Valley & Pangong Tso are along the same lines. It is an Interesting development that China has Unfinished business with only 2 countries as far as land boundaries are concerned, India & Bhutan. It has also fermented new trouble in India Nepal Border through its Economic & new diplomatic channels opened up due to the New Communist led coalition Government. This mode of Salami Slicing, making nimble attempts all the times to keep the enemy of the balance & confused is a part of the Wei Qi strategy.

Pearl of Strings & Economic Colonialism

India has Ocean on both it Sides & has developed a Very Capable & Multi faceted Navy over time taking part responsibly in Freedom of Navigation exercises & Anti Piracy missions on the High seas. China, which was a laggard has made tremendous improvement in the past Decade and a half and eyes the Indian Ocean & the South China Sea to bolster its Hegemonic aspirations. In that Very chain, China has made a very calculated & steady move to encircle India in the Indian Ocean & beyond with strategic bases at Gwadar Port, Pakistan, Hambanthota port in srilanka, Chittagong Port in Bangladesh, sittwe port in Myanmar and assets in Maldives & other smaller Islands & Maritime nations. The Interesting game is it all started as a Commercial activity and almost all fell in dept Traps leading to allow Chinese making subsequent strategic Moves. Each and every case falls under the strategic deceptive game of indulging countries in Debt Trap Diplomacy. it is not limited to Asia. china is playing the same game in even Europe with countries like Czech Republic & Serbia and at a much larger scale in Africa. we need to fight this as well.

Way Ahead 

1. Boycott of Chinese goods is a knee Jerk Reaction and not the panacea to all problems. we must do 'Atm Chintan' how we can reverse the skewed trade ratio with China, primarily by focused approach on Manufacturing . It requires constant national Will & monk Like dedication, Japan is someone we can learn from and collaborate.

2. We must Focus also not be the benign Benevolent Elephant whose Tail can be played with. China has its own set of problems, Many returned territories like Hong Kong & Macau who have tasted Democracy earlier and are now being stifled by China. Autonomous territories like Tibet & Xinjiang which have been conquered by force and millions are being indoctrinated in the name of re education. The CCP has now descended into Autocracy with the Xi Jinping Power Consolidation and people are dissenting more than before especially after the strict measures post COVID19. we need to take nuanced steps to condemn non democratic efforts of china especially on Taiwan which is a separate country now and see the fragmented Chinese in the same light as they see us.  

3. Pakistan is doing China`s bidding on Cyber Space as far as India is Concerned. India Needs to ensure we devote our equally or more aptly armed resources into the use of nation which we almost see being expended domestically, on a daily basis. News matters and we must be seen in a correct light proportionate to our might.

4.We need to increase Cooperation with Like Minded Countries on Bilateral & Multilateral Forums like Quad, on Indo Pacific Issues and the Proposed D10. we must play a more active role in ASEAN, most of the members are victim of china`s aggression in South china Sea. Africa & Eastern Europe are important theaters where we must increase our presence significantly both Diplomatically & Economically.

5. We must Collaborate with Russia, especially on developing our Naval Might with Collaborations like 'Brahmos' in the Submarine front. Add another Aircraft Carrier to meet the Challenges and Responsibilities in Multiple Oceans & fronts. While Rafale is a good addition, we need a upgraded fleet to challenge China & pakistan Simultaneously, lastly Army Modernization and equipping them with Weapons & accessories, a modern and brave army like our deserves needs to be done ASAP.

To paraphrase what a famous Military Historian had said " It is generally true, the armed forces are a extension of the Society, Military Victory/decline is often National Ascent/ decline reflected in the Violence of battle"

It is time we recognize the Tactics of the Chinese on the board and beat them at their game. No Knee Jerk reactions but sustained National Will and Periodic Introspection will Definitely take us through. Jai Hind !!