China Cozies Up To Kashmir

China’s conflict with the Indian sub-continent dates back to the Qing Dynasty when Manchu ruling forces set out to conquer Western lands in the Tibetan Plateau and Tarim Basin (present-day Xinjiang Autonomous Region). Han Chinese activity in the region goes back even further as evidence shows from the Shang Dynasty’s extensive use of Xinjiang jade. Jump forward to the1962 China/India war in the Tawang valley, and China is yet again carving away at the region, humiliatingly grabbing a section of Indian Kashmir. Today, add Pakistan into the mix and you get a boarder conflict governed by a dash of economic interests and a side of power politics.

China’s involvement in the Pakistani-governed region of Kashmir has amplified in the past year. China has proposed further investment in the region with its plan to extend road projects from the existing Karakoram highway, which spans across Xinjiang and Pakistan. China has shown its eagerness with a recent donation from the China Road and Bridge Corporation totaling just over 1 million RMB. The funds were given to Pakistan’s Prime Minister in order to help rebuild sections of highway damaged from the devastating floods that hit last July. This soft gesture no doubt has India concerned.

Last week India issued a statement saying they would no longer accept separate visa issued to Indian citizens from Jamma, Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh (refer to map). To this group, Chinese diplomats in India issue visas on a separate piece of paper stapled to the passport, rather than the standard pasted versions. This undoubtedly raises questions of sovereignty over the said regions.

China’s recent cozying up in Pakistan’s portion of Kashmir has India worried. Along with this, Beijing is furious at Arunachal Pradesh’s recent hosting of the Dalai Lama, especially since China has long considered the region a part of “south Tibet.” This has resulted in Chinese officials refusing to receive Indian leaders and ignoring Indian appeals for official discourse on the visa issue.

All in all, these territorial disputes could be construed as China’s desire to undermine India’s powerful position in the region, yet also could reflect a growing strategic economic partnership between China and Pakistan.

*Map courtesy of economist.com