recognise-china-as-hostile-nation-impose-tariffs-on-imports

Time has come for India to recognise China as a “hostile nation” and stop as much trade with that country as possible. The Indian trade deficit with China is around $100 billion. It has been consistently growing over the years. The least India can do is to impose tariffs on goods imported from China, particularly those which are already being manufactured here.

 

China is India’s top most “trading partner”. India does maximum trade with China now, while two years ago it was with the United States. In fact, “trading partner” is not the proper expression when trade deficit is a whopping $100 billion. While India imported goods worth $118.40 billion in the last fiscal from China, its exports were to the tune of just $16. 65 billion.

 

In a way, India is “financing” war against itself. China came out openly in support of Pakistan during the recent hostilities, both militarily and diplomatically. It was Chinese drones, missiles and fighter planes that Pakistan defence forces used against India. No doubt it did not make much difference for the Indian defence forces, as Pakistan was subdued in any case, but what matters is that China did stand with Pakistan and it did supply the most sophisticated weapons and fighter planes to that country in its fight against India. Earlier, China supported Pakistan at the United Nations and watered down the resolution condemning the Pahalgam terror attack.

 

If the United States can impose tariffs on China, why can’t India? Not only will India deny the Chinese massive profits they make from trade with India, heavy tariffs on Chinese imports, particularly of those products which are very much produced and manufactured in India, will boost the country's economy and help in generating a lot of jobs also.

 

The Indian industry has been crying hoarse for a long time over the massive import of cheap Chinese products. Indian markets are flooded with Chinese goods, particularly those India can do without and also which are produced domestically. Even if certain goods are not produced in India, the country can look for alternate places and countries from where these things can be imported. At least, we will not be feeding an enemy, whose enmity with India is quite obvious and much pronounced.

 

Major chunk of Chinese imports includes electronics and electrical goods to the tune of $31.35 billion. No doubt the Chinese cost of production is substantially less than what these cost in India. But we need to weigh the heavy price India is paying by promoting, supporting and encouraging Chinese manufacturers, not only at the cost of our own domestic industry, but also at the cost of our national security.

 

Also read: India's uncompromising stand against terrorism

 

There are certain products, which are sourced from China mainly for being cheap. These products can be sourced from other countries, may be at a higher price, but at least we will not be enriching an enemy country. Besides the electronics and electric goods, India also imports organic chemicals, plastic articles and products, iron and steel.

 

India will need to make a strategically careful choice. Trade and business relations are supposed to facilitate and lead to better diplomatic relations. But in the case of China and India, it does not deliver any dividends. The policy of trade and terror not going together needs to be applied as much to China as to Pakistan.

 

While Indian imports from China are to the tune of $118.40 billion, Pakistan imports stand at a meager $2.22 billion. Despite that, China accords no respect to trade relations with India. Or it has taken India too for granted that it knows that come what may, no matter how China treats India, the country will continue to import goods from it (China).

 

It is a different story that the way China is heavily investing in Pakistan, it is actually “colonising” the country. For the time being, China is exploiting and capitalising on the strong “anti-India” sentiment that is prevailing in Pakistan. Besides, it has managed to keep the Pakistani army generals in good humour. Current Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir is believed to take orders from the Chinese government rather than his own government in Pakistan.

 

After the recent hostilities with India, which Pakistani media is presenting as the country’s victory, all credit is given to Gen Munir over the political leadership. It is a separate story that Pakistan just survived complete decimation thanks to intervention of the world community. But Gen Munir has managed to control the narrative and project himself as the great hero.

 

By the time people of Pakistan will realise that China is the bigger enemy than India, it will be too late. Pakistan will be completely dependent on China, not just for the defence purposes, but even for running the day-to-day affairs. China is gradually establishing complete control over the infrastructure, which Pakistan is willingly letting it to do. The same way, it has handed over part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to China.

 

Whether the people of Pakistan realise that China is colonising them and whether they rise against it some day is no concern or consolation for India. In fact, greater the Chinese take control of Pakistan, greater the problems for India. China is a security challenge in the east and once it takes complete control of Pakistan, which is not very far to happen, it will pose additional challenges from the west as well.

 

It is high time that the Government of India takes serious, strong and stringent measures to reciprocate and return the favour to China, by imposing tariffs on its products. India and Indians can survive without Chinese imports. If they do not get to buy cheap Chinese electronic goods, they will be forced to look for domestic options.

 

It should be a two-pronged strategy. While the Government of India can impose tariffs, which it has been imposing on various goods from various countries from time to time, there can be a mass movement built across the country against the use of Chinese products. If people refuse to buy Chinese goods, nobody will import these.

 

Let there be a complete unanimity among all political parties urging their supporters not to use Chinese products. People across the country have shown outstanding patriotic and nationalistic sentiment about teaching Pakistan a lesson. Once told and made to understand, they will definitely come forward to teach a lesson to China also. And in teaching a lesson to China, they can directly do it by simply saying “no” to the Chinese goods and products. They will not need to take up arms and go to the border to fight the Chinese soldiers or bombard Chinese air bases and military installations.

 

This must be a national priority - to stop empowering a pronounced enemy economically and financially. It is possible, doable and much needed. Let the Chinese feel the pinch. Losing a $100 billion-dollar business is not an ordinary deal for anyone. The Chinese economy is already strained. Let us contribute our bit to strain it further, may be, beyond redemption.