Takshashila Launches New Survey Report on India-China Relations
Most Indians prefer closer trade and investment relations with China but believe that the boundary dispute inhibits deeper ties. This is among the key findings of a new survey published by The Takshashila Institution. The report, Pulse of the People: State of India-China Relations, was released on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the Bangalore International Centre.
The release event featured a presentation by Anushka Saxena, Staff Research Analyst at the Takshashila Institution. This was followed by a discussion with Ambassador Latha Reddy, Co-Chairman, Global Commission on Stability in Cyberspace and former Deputy National Security Adviser of India, Narayan Ramachandran, co-founder of the Takshashila Institution, and Manoj Kewalramani, Chairperson, Indo-Pacific Studies Programme, Takshashila Institution.
The survey features responses from 655 individuals, polled conducted via social media channels, on 11 questions pertaining to economic, technological, and security-related issues. When asked about the biggest stressor in India-China relations, 54% of respondents pointed to the enduring boundary dispute. In dealing with this, most respondents preferred a strong military posture along the boundary while engaging in dialogue with China.
In contrast to the boundary issue, the trade imbalance does not feature high on the list of respondents’ concerns. In fact, nearly half contended that stronger trade ties with China are beneficial for India’s development and security. Likewise, over half of the respondents agreed that India must be open to Chinese investments in sectors that can generate greater employment (56.4%) and to Chinese talent (52.4%) where required.
On geopolitical issues, particularly in the context of the contest between the US-led West on one side and China and Russia on the other, the survey found that the US remains the preferred partner for an overwhelming number of Indians (69.2%). That said, the survey’s results indicate a split verdict on the effectiveness of the Quad as a tool to counter China.
Pulse of the People: State of India-China Relations is an annual survey carried out by The Takshashila Institution.
About:
The Takshashila Institution is India’s premier independent centre for research and education in public policy. It is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation that advocates the values of freedom, openness, tolerance, pluralism and responsible citizenship. It seeks to transform India through better public policies, bridging the governance gap by developing better public servants, civil society leaders, professionals and informed citizens. Takshashila creates change by connecting good people, to good ideas and good networks. It produces independent policy research in a number of areas of governance, it grooms civic leaders through its online education programmes and engages in public discourse through its publications and digital media.
