China conniving with Pak…. Why it’s high time to pressurise China’s economy by reducing usage of Chinese products

In 1987, the GDP of both India and China was almost equal. However, after economic liberalisation in the 90s, India emerged as a major market for Chinese products largely comprising of electronic items, machines, plastic, fertilizer etc. The bilateral trade between China and India touched US$ 89.6 billion in 2017-18 however the trade deficit of US$62.9 billion largely remained in China’s favour. As a result of the boom in the economy, China’s GDP has now become 5.23 times greater than India in 2019. Hence, Indian markets have remained a major contributor to strengthening China’s economy and its emergence as a world power.

While strategically Indo- China relations largely remained strained since the 1962 conflict, both countries repeatedly engaged in past, through dialogues and confidence-building measures. However, over the last two decades, China has openly connived with Pakistan against Indian interests, displaying sweeter than Honey relations! The defiant implementation of OBOR and CPEC corridor through Pak & China occupied J&K, persistent sheltering of Pakistan and its global terrorists from international sanctions, destabilizing the status quo in the eastern sector etc in recent past indicate China’s intention to play spoilsport to consistent Indian CBMs. The most recent push by China to raise Kashmir issue in UN Security Council against India’s globally stated position of resolving the issue bilaterally is severely against our interests and detrimental to relations between the two neighbours.

Hence, China has emerged as a rogue neighbour strategically partnering with Pakistan against our national interests while gaining heavily from Indian markets. While banning imports or imposing additional tariffs on Chinese imports may not be in accordance with the international trade conventions, however, the belligerent Chinese attitude certainly demands an ‘Economic Non-Co-operation’ with the country. The smallest peaceful contribution towards which can be from each Indian household to progressively reduce consumption of Chinese products. While for some it may be a regressive step against the global world order, however, we must not forget that in the 21st century the economic interests are likely to largely define the strategic relationship between two countries.

Let us make the developed economies understand our power as the biggest consumer market and standby us to preserve our strategic interests…