The role of the ‘China Test’ in India’s grand strategy

Context:

The future of India’s strategic planning and decision-making lies in smartly balancing China in southern Asia and beyond.

Significance of China in India’s Policy Decisions:

• Concept of a principal contradiction: It is about considering ‘dynamic opposing forces’ while shaping India's future choices. China needs to be articulated with the said principle.
• China Test: Decision-makers must view their decisions in the light of the answer to the question: “does a decision help deal with the China challenge, or not?
• Ingredients of ‘China test’: Assessing Indian decision in the light of Chinese regional interests and if there need to modify secondary contradictions (other challenges, leaving China).

Testing policies in ‘China-Test’:

• India-U.S. relations: The lukewarm India-U.S. strategic engagement in the region is precisely what would help Beijing’s long-term objectives. So, India must act accordingly.
• Pacifying relations with Pakistan: Peace with Pakistan will help India to focus on the threats from China, thereby helping India in strengthening its traditional primacy in South Asia.
• American Engagement in Pakistan: It works in India's favour as it prevents Pakistan from going into the China camp completely.