Red Sea Crisis: China's Strategic Calculus and Regional Dilemmas
Annuthra K, Research Officer, C3S
Introduction:
The recent surge in Houthi attacks targeting maritime traffic in the Red Sea has sparked a significant global crisis, resulting in a notable rise in shipping expenses. Nearly 90 percent of container ships are now choosing longer routes around Africa instead of risking passage through the Suez Canal. China, being the world's largest exporter and heavily reliant on oil imports, has a keen interest in maintaining stability in Red Sea shipping lanes. A considerable portion of China's trade with the EU traverses the Suez Canal, and the country has invested substantially in ports along the Red Sea, notably in Egypt and Saudi Arabia
Border Villages: China's Expansion and India's Response
Annuthra K, Research Officer, C3S
Chinese individuals have begun settling in several "Xiaokang" model border defence villages established by China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in India's northeastern regions, according to a report by The Indian Express. In recent months, occupants of Chinese origin have moved into a few of these villages located on their side of the LAC, particularly near Lohit Valley and the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh.
For more than five years, China has been constructing 628 such "well-off villages" along its borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region, spanning Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. These villages serve dual purposes, catering to both civilian and military needs, and symbolise China's territorial assertions along the LAC, raising concerns for the Indian military. Previously unoccupied, the two-story, spacious buildings within these villages are now being inhabited by Chinese nationals. It remains uncertain whether these residents are civilians or military personnel.
Sources indicate ongoing Chinese infrastructure development along the LAC bordering the northeast, despite most inhabited areas being distant from the LAC, with exceptions such as Tawang and the Siliguri Corridor. The precise function of these villages is ambiguous, but they are believed to serve as "dual-use infrastructure," serving both civilian and military needs. This construction is perceived as a manifestation of China's territorial claims along the LAC and has consequently raised concerns for the military. Until recently, the double-story, generously sized buildings erected in these villages along the LAC had remained unoccupied. However, over the past few months, Chinese citizens have begun to move in. It remains unclear whether these occupants are civilians or military personnel.
India:
Over the past three to four years, India has intensified its efforts to improve its border infrastructure, focusing on enhancing forward connectivity and building alternative routes to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), while also ensuring their interconnection. Through the Vibrant Villages program, India plans to modernise 663 border villages in the initial phase, providing them with all essential facilities. Notably, approximately 17 villages situated along the borders with China in regions like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh have been selected for development as a pilot project. In Arunachal Pradesh, specific villages in the eastern part of the state and within the Tawang region have been singled out for focused development efforts. These include Zemithang, Taksing, Chayang Tajo, Tuting, and Kibithu, which have been earmarked for comprehensive development initiatives.
To improve the living conditions in villages along the northern borders, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has directed local Army units to assist in the rehabilitation of Nelang and Jadhang villages in Uttarakhand, near the China border. These villages were inhabited until 1962 but were evacuated during the conflict with China and resettled in areas around Uttarkashi and its surroundings. Efforts to enhance the infrastructure and living standards in border villages have accelerated in recent years, spearheaded by the Narendra Modi government's Vibrant Villages program. This initiative aims to develop villages along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. These border villages are now being acknowledged as crucial components of the nation's defence strategy.
C3S Special
China’s stand in the Israel-Palestine Issue since 1947: Shifting Priorities and Challenges to its Middle East Policy
Annuthra K, Research Officer, C3S
During the latter half of the 1950s, China embarked on a strategic shift in its foreign policy, prioritizing stronger ties with Arab nations. This transformation, underscored by the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cairo and Damascus in 1956, was catalyzed by geopolitical events such as the tripartite attack on Egypt in the same year. Despite initial reservations and occasional disagreements with Arab leaders, China progressively developed a keen interest in the Palestinian cause, as evidenced by Premier Zhou En-lai's commitments in the mid-1960s. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of China's historical, diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations with both Palestine and Israel. It analyzes the evolution of China's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, detailing key events, policy shifts, and diplomatic engagements. Additionally, it explores China's economic interactions with both parties, including trade relations, investment initiatives, and the implications of the Belt and Road Initiative for the region. Furthermore, the paper delves into China's mediation efforts in the Israel-Palestine issue and outlines its broader Middle East strategy.
I extend my warmest wishes to all those celebrating Losar, the Tibetan New Year. On this first day of the Year of the Wood Dragon, we celebrate the strength and perseverance of the Tibetan community around the globe. Here in the United States, tens of thousands of Tibetan-Americans are integral to the preservation of Tibetans’ distinct cultural, linguistic, and religious heritage.
I wish Tibetans celebrating all across the world peace and prosperity in the new year. Losar Tashi Delek and Happy New Year!
