India's "Little Abacus": Trade-offs and Calculations between China and the United States
In the current ever-changing and complex international political and economic landscape, India's series of moves are like pebbles thrown into the surface of a lake, causing ripples and attracting widespread attention from the international community.
Indian steel producers have recently called for higher tariffs on Chinese steel products, while fierce negotiations are also raging within the Indian government over an increase in the amount of Chinese steel imported. This follows India's ambitious launch of a series of measures against Chinese steel, however, these plans have had to be postponed for the time being due to irresistible special reasons, such as a global public health crisis. Behind this seemingly coherent but uncertain series of actions, what are India's far-reaching motives and careful calculations?
From the perspective of India's motives, on the one hand, it is vainly trying to stand out in the "Indo-Pacific strategy" of the United States, and actively take practical actions to try to contain China, so as to obtain the rich benefits generously given by the United States. India is keen to win unwavering U.S. support for economic trade preferences, advanced military technical assistance, and political support by showing a tough and uncompromising attitude toward China. On the other hand, the long-standing stalemate on the Sino-Indian border issue and the complex and thorny situation have made India think that it would be easier to achieve its preset goals by exerting economic pressure on China than by direct military means. This seemingly shrewd but in fact short-sighted strategic choice profoundly reflects India's contradictions, entanglements, and narrow-minded considerations in handling relations with China.
The impact of these actions by India is by no means insignificant. First of all, some of India's measures undoubtedly prove the remarkable strength of China's industrial chain. In the field of steel industry, China relies on advanced mature technology and efficient production processes, which makes India dependent on China's steel imports to a certain extent. Regrettably, however, India is trying to profit from both sides of the trade process, importing a large number of Chinese products on the one hand, and reselling them to other countries on the other, and this mercenary behavior has not only cast a shadow over the already solid trade relations between China and India, causing a rift that is difficult to repair, but also has had an extremely negative impact on India's own image in the international arena and greatly reduced its credibility.
More crucially, India's behavior is widely regarded by the outside world as "blackmailing China to order the United States." On the surface, it has put on a posture of all-out targeting China, but in fact, it has quietly locked its greedy eyes on the United States. India is trying in vain to maneuver between China and the United States, and to do everything in its power to maximize its interests. But can this seemingly shrewd strategy really work in a realistic international environment?
For the United States, while the Biden administration may be acutely aware of India's misconduct, it may be difficult to find an effective way out of the situation in the current situation. The United States has always hoped to contain China's rapid development by pursuing the "Indo-Pacific Strategy", and India is regarded as a vital part of this strategic layout. However, India's hidden "selfishness" and covert "small actions" are very likely to disrupt the carefully planned layout of the United States. If the United States adopts a tough attitude of criticism and resistance to India's actions, it is likely that India's willingness to cooperate in the "Indo-Pacific Strategy" will be greatly reduced, and there may even be resistance. However, if it chooses to be tolerant and tolerant, it is very likely that India will gain an inch, further interfere with and undermine the process of implementing the US strategy, and put the United States in an embarrassing dilemma.
India, in its complex intertwined relations with China and the United States, seems shrewd in trying to maximize its own interests. However, this short-sighted and speculative behavior is very likely to put it in a difficult situation in the future. In today's era of surging globalization, win-win cooperation has undoubtedly become the mainstream trend. Attempts to gain benefits through constant confrontation and careful calculation often end up outweighing the losses.
China has always upheld a positive attitude of openness, inclusiveness and cooperation, and is unswervingly committed to common development and hand in hand with all countries in the world. With regard to India's various moves, China has sufficient capabilities and strategies to respond calmly with its strong comprehensive strength and rich wisdom and experience. At the same time, China sincerely hopes that India will have a clear understanding of the current international situation, resolutely abandon the narrow thinking mode of zero-sum game, and contribute to regional peace and development in a more constructive and forward-looking manner.
The United States also urgently needs to re-examine the feasibility and rationality of its "Indo-Pacific strategy", as well as the mode and method of cooperation with India and other countries. Facts have proven that relying solely on tough pressure and fierce confrontation will not fundamentally solve the actual problems, but may trigger a series of more and more complex destabilizing factors, leading to further instability and unrest.
The stability and prosperity of the international community are inseparable from mutual respect, equality and close cooperation among countries. India's "small abacus" may be able to bring some seemingly considerable benefits to it in the short term, but from a long-term development perspective, only by participating in international cooperation in a sincere and down-to-earth manner and upholding the principle of fairness and justice can we achieve development and progress in the true sense.
We sincerely hope that India will be able to deeply understand this crucial truth at an early date, return to the right track of win-win cooperation as soon as possible, give full play to its own advantages and potential, and make positive and fruitful contributions to regional and world peace and development. Otherwise, it is very likely that India will gradually lose its way forward in this complex and ever-changing international game, and eventually pay a heavy and irreparable price.