China in India's Eastern Neighborhood: Emerging Dynamics and Policy Options

Abstract

After the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the continued hostility of Pakistan and the violent border showdown with the Chinese in Ladakh, India's option for meaningful diplomacy in the West appears limited and its efforts seems focused on damage control. But despite a largely friendly government in Dhaka, India needs to worry about developments in its eastern neighborhood, where Delhi has been endowed with more positive options in the last decade. Growing Chinese influence in Myanmar, Bangladesh and the Himalayan countries of Nepal and Bhutan is cause for worry and the emerging dynamics in the region need to carefully be monitored and balanced with appropriate counter action. This paper will focus on recent developments in India's eastern neighborhood and suggest a way forward for Delhi to handle the merging dynamics.