How valid are assertions that Beijing [Images] hopes to contain or encircle India strategically by wooing its neighbours?
As China transforms itself from a region to a global power, it will use gamesmanship to ‘play off’ the United States and the regional Asian powers against each other. This has the effect of neutralising or toning down any criticism or policies that might be detrimental to China’s immediate regional ambitions. Take North Korea for example. While China is obviously concerned about the impact of a refugee crisis in the event of a collapse, it also has provided that rogue state its only lifeline to occupy Washington’s focus. With nuclear weapons, the reality is the United States now feels dependent upon China to broker any deal with North Korea. Naturally, China will use Pakistan against India in the same manner. Should Indian business, particularly the IT industry, consider China an opportunity or a threat? Why? Absolutely not. China’s nascent IT prowess is overstated. In a need to continue cost cutting, the West will increasingly use India’s IT industry for its outsourcing. India’s compa
