Global criticism during COVID-19 hardened China’s attitude towards world: Foreign Secretary Misri
Misri also recalled that he faced a major challenge during his posting in China as Ambassador, when India and China had an unprecedented confrontation in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley
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Context
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted that China's isolation and feeling of being stigmatised by the global community during the COVID-19 pandemic induced a harsh foreign policy posture and a draconian domestic lockdown. He also noted the complexities in diplomatic engagement during the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which coincided with the pandemic's peak, complicating bilateral relations.
UPSC Perspectives
International Relations
The Foreign Secretary's remarks provide insight into the psychological and geopolitical drivers of China's recent foreign policy, often termed Wolf Warrior diplomacy. The perception of global stigmatisation over the origins of COVID-19 led Beijing to adopt a more aggressive and defensive posture internationally. This period coincided with the in 2020, marking the first lethal confrontation on the (LAC) in nearly five decades. The pandemic severely restricted diplomatic channels, exacerbating the crisis by limiting face-to-face negotiations and understanding of domestic perceptions. For UPSC Mains, this highlights how domestic insecurities and perceived international isolation can manifest as aggressive external behaviour, complicating bilateral conflict resolution mechanisms.
Geopolitics
The article underscores the intersection of global crises (like a pandemic) and bilateral border disputes. The acted as a threat multiplier, straining multilateral systems and bilateral ties simultaneously. While India refrained from blaming China for the pandemic, the broader international pressure on Beijing influenced its strategic calculus, leading to a hardened stance. The mention of the 'draconian lockdown' reflects China's Zero-COVID policy, which, while a domestic health measure, had profound implications for global supply chains and international mobility. Understanding this context is crucial for analyzing the structural shifts in post-2020, moving from a paradigm of managing differences to immediate crisis management and border stabilization.
Governance
The reference to (though details are not provided in the text, it likely refers to a coordinated government effort, possibly related to evacuations or crisis management) highlights the importance of Whole-of-Government approach during multifaceted crises. The Foreign Secretary commended the real-time coordination among various state agencies. In governance, overcoming siloed functioning of departments is a significant challenge; successful campaigns demonstrate the efficacy of integrated command structures and inter-agency synergy. This perspective is relevant for GS Paper 2 (Governance) in discussing mechanisms for effective crisis response and the evolution of India's bureaucratic machinery in handling complex emergencies.