India, China and the global south: a quest for supremacy
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In a chaotic world, the quest for global supremacy continues with India professedly seeking a place at the high table. India deems that its vast geographical expanse and population confer on it a special privilege to seek legitimacy for its global role. Indian foreign policy is driven by this notion of international status. India as early as 1974, tested its nuclear weapons to prove that it was worthy of membership of the P-5. Its space program and other actions can easily be ascribed to its quest to be considered a great power. The US-China rivalry has provided India with another opportunity to play the west’s game vis-a-vis China and act as an agent to contain Beijing.
In the bargain, it is promised high technology and defense items and is encouraged to float a blue water navy. India’s inclination as pro-west is no longer hidden. It has lowered its profile in the Non-Aligned Movement and seeks to create a quasi partnership with NATO-related defense systems. It recently hosted the G-20 summit in New Delhi and has presented itself as an interlocutor to safeguard the interests of developing states. This grouping of some 125 states from Africa, Asia and Latin America is now being called the Global South. India’s Africa program runs into millions of dollars and the country has launched a campaign to enhance its influence in developing states. India believes in multi-alignment and zealously safeguards its strategic autonomy. So, India will use whatever opportunity it gets to promote its agenda of being rated as a global power.
The order imposed by the Cold War and post-Cold War is over. In the ensuing chaotic world, no simple definitions of the Global South will suffice. The Chinese have proffered new initiatives on development, security, and civilization that are worth examining for their originality and substance.
Salman Bashir
China, on the other hand, is a star that has achieved tremendous development in recent years. It is now the manufacturing base for the world. It is the number two economy in nominal terms but number one in terms of purchasing power parity. China has taken global initiatives to promote economic, trade and technological cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) seeks to connect China with the rest of the world in win-win partnerships on equal terms. China has spent over a trillion dollars on promoting BRI cooperation while its rise has been peaceful. It does not seek to supplant the international system but merely adds supplementary mechanisms to promote harmonious growth. The Asian Infrastructure Bank is an example of China's desire to promote inclusive growth. The Asian giant has also invested heavily in Africa and Latin America and has extensive links with Asia where it enjoys prospering economic partnerships.
China's rapid rise has caused consternation to the US, which has launched a campaign to restrict Beijing. India seeks to fill this role actively. The Chinese civilization is unique and its continuous history makes it very special. China has no interest in imposing its civilizational values on others and its approach to issues of development is wholly benign and not premised on ulterior motives.
On the whole, there is no comparison between India and China. India is struggling to seek global supremacy whereas China is already in the big league and is helping the Global South achieve its inalienable right to development. India follows its interests whereas China is now well placed to assist others. The notion that there is a standard formula to achieve greatness is a western precept that India wishes to follow. The developing states would need both Indian and Chinese assistance and thus have good cooperative relations with both. But to project that India’s overtures to the developing world are somewhat premised on helping the west, is an exaggeration that is not sustainable. Moreover, it is no longer feasible to see the world in the north-south or east-west generalities.
The order imposed by the Cold War and post-Cold War is over. In the ensuing chaotic world, no simple definitions of the Global South will suffice. The Chinese have proffered new initiatives on development, security, and civilization that are worth examining for their originality and substance. On the other hand, India has yet to come out with anything extraordinary that would merit the attention of developing states. It is in the realm of ideas that struggles for supremacy are won. In short, greatness is to be merited not achieved.
— Salman Bashir is a Pakistani diplomat who served as Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and as High Commissioner of Pakistan to India.
Twitter: @Salman_B_PK
