Context:
Recently, the Presidents of Russia and China met at the Great Hall of the People, the seat of power of Chinese Communist Party.
More about the News:
- The two leaders also attended a concert to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties.
- Russian President also received a welcome ceremony featuring a guard of honor by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
- This two-day visit of the Russian president to China coincides with Russia’s significant influence over the war in Ukraine.
China-Russia Ties during Ukraine war:
- China and Russia formed a strong partnership just before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Russia now controls significant parts of Ukrainian territory.
- The West, particularly the US, is worried about China’s role in supporting Russia’s war efforts.
- US officials highlighted China’s supply of ‘Duel use tech items’ that aid Russia’s military, like missiles, tanks, and lorries.
- Dual-use items are goods, software, and technology that can be used for both civilian and military applications.
- Russian imports of tools and chips from China have risen sharply.
- Although in his recent visit to Europe, China promised not to sell weapons to Russia and to control the flow of military-related goods.
- During the Russian president’s recent visit to China, China re-emphasized their close relationship and discussed ending the war in Ukraine with a political settlement.
Evolution of the China-Russia Relations:
- The relationship between China and the Soviet Union had a rocky start.
- Mao Zedong (Chinese premier from 1949 to 1976) faced delays and discomfort during his visit to Moscow in 1949 to meet his counterpart Joseph Stalin (1924 to 1953).
- Throughout the Cold War, they were rivals, competing for control of the global communist movement.
- Both nations even fought a brief border war in 1969.
- Relations improved after Mao died in 1976, but remained cool until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.
- Since the 1990s, there have been several milestones formalizing cooperation, like the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation (2001).
- In the post-Cold War era, economic ties became crucial. China is now Russia’s largest trading partner and top Asian investor.
- Russia is seen by China as a source of raw materials and a valuable market for its goods.
- Western hostility towards Russia after the Crimea annexation in 2014 and later developments in Ukraine pushed Moscow closer to Beijing.
India’s concerns about increasing ties between China-Russia:
- India believes the West’s actions drove Russia towards a stronger partnership with China.
- The Russia-China defense axis poses several critical questions for India.
- India heavily relies on Russia for about 60-70% of its defense supplies, and it is especially crucial during the ongoing standoff with China at the border.
- Because of this, India wants to ensure the Russian defense industry doesn’t suffer from Western sanctions.
- Some Western analysts worry that Russia could become a subordinate to China, which could impact India.
- Historically, the Soviet Union’s position during the 1962 war was not particularly supportive of India. However, in 1971, the Sino-Soviet split led them to support India against China.
- Regarding potential conflict between India and China, Russia’s stance may not be as supportive as in the past.
- India has legitimate concerns that Russia’s alignment with China’s Indo-Pacific stance could hinder India’s goal of establishing a ‘multipolar Asia’ and exacerbate its security challenges vis-à-vis China.
- However, the China-Russia relationship is often described as a “strategic partnership,” it’s not a formal alliance. They may not always support each other unconditionally.