East-West alignment :
Russia, China stand firm while India keeps wavering
Dr. Sawraj Singh
The new leadership in China is making clear the priorities of China
in the emerging global scenario. It seems that the Chinese have given a
clear signal that their relations with Russia are most important for
them. China no longer accepts America’s status as the only superpower of
the world. China considers itself as the leading country of Asia.
Therefore, it no longer recognizes Japan as the leading country of
Asia. Moreover, just like the USA and Europe, China sees Japan as a
declining power. These countries have already reached the peak of their
power and now cannot retain their position at the top of the pyramid.
It is also clear that China sees Russia and India as the countries
which have the potential to rise. Russia used to be a super power.
However, Russia was only a military power and did not attain its full
economic potential. Even at the peak of its power, Russia could not
develop its economy to a level which was compatible with its vast
natural resources.
In modern times, India has remained way behind its economic
potential. China feels that one day, India is bound to rise and claim
its rightful place in the world. However, there is a difference in the
Russian and the Indian attitudes.
Foreign exchange
Russia sees China as a country which can help Russia to regain its
lost status. Moreover, Russia and China are like two countries which had
their match made in heaven. Russia is the largest producer of energy and
China is the largest consumer of energy.
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BRICS
leaders at the 2013 Summit in South Africa. |
China has become the manufacturing hub of the world and has the
biggest reserves of foreign exchange (surplus money to invest). China
needs to modernize its army by acquiring advanced weapons. Russia needs
capital to develop its vast natural resources. Russia has advanced and
sophisticated weapons to sell. Russia is a close second among the top
weapon-exporting countries.
America’s share is 30 per cent of the world market and Russia’s share
is 26 per cent. These figures show that if we take into account size of
the economies, then comparatively, Russia is producing far more advanced
and sophisticated weapons.
It can be concluded that in the case of Russia and China, each
country has what the other country needs (a symbiotic relationship).
However, relations between India and China are far more complicated.
There are historical, cultural and political differences between the two
countries. India has a very long history of being conquered and
enslaved.
This unfortunate history started with the Greek invasion of
Alexander. Subsequently, there were Arab (Mohammad Bin Qasim), Afghan
(Ghazni, Gauri, and Ahmad Shah Abdali), Mongol (Babur), Central Asian
(Timur), Turk (Khilji), Persian (Nadir Shah), Portuguese, French, Dutch,
Italian, and British invasions. We have developed a slavish mentality.
Western-dominated world
We have accepted the Western domination. Therefore, the American
hegemony does not bother us as much as is it bothers the Chinese.
To a degree, we see American hegemony and domination in a positive
sense because it helps to contain China.
While we are used to living in a Western-dominated world, the idea of
a non-Western power becoming the leading force makes us uncomfortable.
India also has a tradition of elitism. The elitist class somehow
managed to co-exist with the invaders and conquerors while preserving
and maintaining its elite status. India has also adopted the Western
capitalist model of development.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping (L)
meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin during his recent
State visit to Russia. |
Therefore, it feels itself being much closer to the Western countries
than its neighbours. Just look at the recent vote on Sri Lanka in the
UN. India voted with America against Sri Lanka. It is not just Sri Lanka
with which India feels at odds; India has problems with almost all of
its neighbours.
I have no doubt that if India were to compete for the votes of the
neighbouring countries, almost all of our neighbours may vote for China.
Even a country like Nepal, with whom we have special cultural and
religious bonds, feels closer to China than India.
In spite of our attitude toward China, China still sees India as a
potential ally because both countries have many common interests.
BRICS Summit
Both countries have not received the status they deserve, in the
Western-dominated world. Therefore, they want a fundamental change in
the global institutions such as the UN, the World Bank and the IMF. All
of these institutions were made to maintain Western domination and
hegemony.
The recent BRICS Summit in Durban, South Africa showed that this
organization is posing a tremendous challenge to Western monopoly and
domination. The share of the BRICS countries in the world economy and
trade is growing, while the Western share is declining.
The BRICS countries have decided to develop a Bank which will be
posing a big challenge to the World Bank and the IMF in the long run.
The continuous rise of the East and decline of the West will one day
force India to accept the realities of the world. China has the patience
to wait for that day. Meanwhile, Russia and China will continue to come
closer to each other and further tilt the balance of power to the East.
Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD F.I.C.S. is the Chairman of the Washington State
Network for Human Rights and Chairman of the Central Washington
Coalition for Social Justice. [email protected].
Courtesy: The Link
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