India’s sharp reaction to the detention of a woman from Arunachal Pradesh at the Shanghai airport has left China stunned, which has once again brought tension in the relations between the two countries to the fore. Let us tell you that the latest events have simultaneously put the two most sensitive areas of India-China relations – economic cooperation and territorial sovereignty – in the headlines. On the one hand, the Indian electronics industry is troubled by China’s policy ambiguities and barriers to technical cooperation; On the other hand, the incident related to the detention of an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai Airport in the name of “illegal passport” has taken diplomatic tension to a new height. India has said in very clear words that Arunachal Pradesh is its integral and inalienable part and any rejection by China is not going to change this fact. If seen, this dual situation of economic discomfort and diplomatic conflict brings out the real complexities of India-China relations.
Although India-China relations have been constantly oscillating between tension and cooperation in the last decade, the events of the last few days have once again underlined that any kind of partnership with Beijing cannot run on economic parameters alone. It crucially involves politics, security, geopolitics, and above all, the issue of interpretation of sovereignty.
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First of all, if we look at the concerns of the electronics sector, Indian companies need advanced technology, components and investment from China, to fulfill which many plans were made. But the sudden break in these partnerships indicates that China has become more cautious than ever in technological and capital partnerships with India.
PG Electroplast’s technical partnership has been stuck for months; Hisense has put on hold plans to pick up a 26% stake in its Indian manufacturing unit and Bharti Group’s acquisition of 49% of Haier India is also stalled awaiting Chinese approval. These incidents are not accidental. China is clearly considering two things seriously before allowing any such activity—first, the protection of its technology and intellectual property; And second, the current political sensitivity of India-China relations.
Here it has to be remembered that India had implemented Press Note 3 after the border tension in 2020, under which government approval was made mandatory on any investment from neighboring countries. China sees this as a political message. Now it is applying the same strict scrutiny to every technical and capital project related to India. The result is that Indian industry is caught in a bind – Chinese technology and machinery are necessary to fulfill India’s laudable ‘value addition’ and ‘localisation’ ambitions, but China’s acceptance and behavior is becoming uncertain.
On the other hand, the complications on the economic front are deeply linked to the emerging tensions in diplomacy. The 18-hour detention of Indian national Pema Wangjom Thongdok from Arunachal Pradesh at the Shanghai airport was not just the unfair treatment of a passenger; This is a reflection of China’s political claim in which it refuses to recognize Arunachal as a part of India by calling it “South Tibet”. This claim is not only on the map, but has now started interfering in the rights of travelers and even international rules.
India’s strong reaction was also necessary because if any country starts challenging the legal identity of an Indian citizen, then it is not just a diplomatic disagreement, but a question mark on national honor and sovereignty. The External Affairs Ministry’s statement that the actions of Chinese authorities are “in violation of multiple treaties and China’s own rules on international air travel” is not just a factual allegation, it is also a warning that India is no longer going to dismiss such actions as mere ‘incidents’.
On the other hand, China’s official statement, in which it denied any ‘detention’ or ‘harassment’ of the traveler and also described Arunachal as an “illegally established Indian state”, is the same old double tone. Experts say China’s passport-related directives are part of its long-term strategy. This is a direct way of putting Indian citizens at inconvenience and at the same time repeatedly enforcing its claim at the practical level.
If seen, recent events show that improvement in India-China relations will not happen only through meetings or rhetoric; This requires a long, careful and multi-layered strategy. Some steps will have to be taken for this. For example, India should file a formal complaint in every such case not only bilaterally but also at ICAO, IATA and other global forums. This will increase global scrutiny of China’s border behavior policies. Also, stopping technical cooperation by China gives India an opportunity to develop its “tech ecosystem” more rapidly. PLI schemes and investment in R&D will now have to be made a strategic priority. Along with this, it should also be kept in mind that diplomacy is not just a name for opposition. Talks must continue, but with clear red lines. The message that Beijing must receive time and again is that India will not accept any compromise on sovereignty and security of Indian citizens.
However, the biggest lack in today’s picture of India-China relations is that of ‘credibility’ and this lack emanates from both directions. When Beijing blocks technical cooperation, delays investment and questions the identity of Indian citizens, it becomes clear that uncertainty in the relationship is increasing. For India, this is not a time for emotions, but for rational determination. Economic partnership is important, but respect and sovereignty are paramount. The sharp reaction that India has given to the Shanghai airport incident is an important signal for the future that whether it is the need of technology or trade, India will not compromise on its citizens and its territorial claim at any cost.