Alok Acharja

After the end of British colonialism in the world, that is, after the last sun of Britain set outside the United Kingdom, the world thought that this time the world would start walking on its own way. At the same time, the world would be completely free from colonialism. But
the reality is different. The world started walking with a new definition of hegemony. Colonialism started with a new structure and strategy. This idea is a little different from before. Instead of directly ruling a country, strategically keeping a weak country on its side.
Establishing alliances and keeping it close by providing loans or military assistance or foodsor treatment necessaries. The United Nations was formed after World War II to maintain peace all over the world. It is not able to play an effective role in stopping wars and
protecting humanity. But the purpose was to protect humanity and establish peace in the world by stopping wars. After World War II, the most intense competition was between the United States and the former Soviet Union. This competition was both economic and
technological. In 1969, the United States took a lead over the Soviet Union by sending astronauts to the moon. When the Soviet Union collapsed and 15 states were formed, Russia gradually fell behind in the competition for hegemony around the world. Historians identify
two reasons behind the collapse of the Soviet Union: intentional and structural. Since this incident in 1991, a new equation has been formed. Basically, the world began to divide into two parts. On one side is the Western world and its allies, and on the other side is Russia and its allies. China, the Asian superpower, and Iran, the Middle Eastern country, are on a straight line with Russia. Russia also maintains friendly relations with North Korea. On the other hand, India, another Asian country that apparently surpasses China in economic and
military power, is maintaining good relations with America. In this region, South Asia, the 
regional competition between China and India is visible. There is a bilateral competition in both the fields of diplomacy, trade and military policy. There is a constant reckoning about who is lagging behind and who is advancing in the competition. Because there are
allegations that there is fierce competition within the two countries in terms of coming to power in neighboring countries. For example, Nepal, Maldives, Malaysia and Bangladesh can be said to be significant.India wants to maintain a certain influence on neighboring countries. China also wants the same. As a result, there is intense competition. The competition strategies include providing
loans to neighboring countries, providing assistance in infrastructure development,increasing investment and bringing politically supported parties to state power. Both countries want this equally. As a result, it can be observed that in the last few years,
sometimes China and sometimes India have moved forward in these strategies. There is a border dispute between the two countries. There have also been clashes between the armies of the two countries due to intense disputes over some areas. The 1962 India-China war was
the first major conflict between the two countries. In 2020, 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers were killed in a clash in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh. Both countries arestill on alert. However, if friendly relations are established between the two countries and a
balanced policy can be followed to convey the message of peace and development in Asia, then the Western world will not be able to increase its influence in the region. As a result of the competitive attitude of the two countries, there are people in neighboring countries who support both countries, even if they are not openly, but there are parties and opinions. Even before the elections, there is a discussion in those countries about which candidate supports which country. For example, after the elections in the Maldives, the president of that country was elected by the party of Mohammed Moiju. He was determined to withdraw Indian troops from that country and took the initiative to implement it after being elected. Although later he was interested in good relations with India as well. However, for many years, the Maldives was closer to India. India is a huge market for Chinese products.Both countries have a huge market in the world. The two countries are on the list of the most promising countries in emerging economies. India will become the world's third largest
economy within three years. If the financial institution Morgan Stanley's forecast comes true,
New Delhi's economic growth rate will reach $5.7 trillion by 2028. This country will become
the world's largest consumer market by 2028. As a result, a large part of the world manufactured goods will be sold here. This will play a major role in overall economic growth. On the other hand, according to the data released by the National Bureau of
Statistics of China (NBS) at the end of January, the countrys domestic product or GDP was 134.9084 trillion yuan (about 18.77 trillion US dollars) in 2024, which is 5 percent more than last year. However, the globalization of China readily available technology has played the
biggest role in China becoming a superpower. Recently, China has also influenced the US
market by creating relatively effective and low-cost artificial intelligence. There are othertechnologies. The weaponry is also modern and sufficient to prove itself strong. China is
making huge allocations in this sector. The countrydefense budget for 2025 has increasedby 7.2 percent to $245 billion, while IndiaThe budget is $79 billion. Analysts say Chinaactual military spending could be 40-50 percent higher than the announced budget. Chinese
President Xi Jinpinggovernment plans to make the People's Liberation Army (PLA) the world's most modern and powerful military by 2027. The new budget promises massive improvements in land, sea, air, nuclear, space and cyber security. The Economist recently published a report on the competition and comparative position between India and China. Inwhich the analysis says that India is lagging behind China in the competition in South Asia. The report is based on the election of several countries and the victory of pro-Chinese
leaders in the elections and the opportunity for infrastructure development. It is true that during the Corona period, India had ample opportunities to move forward and in some cases,India has also used them.
In 2023, the US-based research institute Rand Corporation wrote, India is no longer lagging behind, but can be said to be on the path to victory against China in the strategic competition. Again, during Sri Lanka crisis, India came forward with economic assistance and Sri Lanka
has also worked to advance relations with India. Although Dissanayake, who won the Sri Lankan elections, was seen as pro-China. Although after coming to power, Dissanayakeseems to have wanted to maintain good relations with both India and China. The United
States wants to see India in a more strategic and beneficial role in the region. Because the United States is essentially competing with India here, China is the main competitor of the United States in the region. There are disputes between different countries in the world over
this sea route in the South China Sea. More than three trillion dollars of trade is done every year on this busiest route. There have been disputes between different countries over the borders in the South China Sea for centuries. China has also been involved in a war with

Vietnam over this sea. Due to the interest of the world, tensions are gradually increasing in the region, which is a headache for the United States. Trump decision to impose tariffs has created new economic instability in the world. Various countries, including China, are tryingto find alternatives. If India-China relations are normalized, there will be no opportunity forother countries to enter the global competition. However, that possibility is low because there are differences of opinion between the two countries on various issues. However, the
recent comments of the Chinese President show some light in the possibility of improvingrelations between the two countries. Xi Jinping told Indian President Draupadi Murmu that China-India relations should be stronger. At the same time, this relationship should be like a
dragon-elephant tango dance;, where both countries move together in harmony. The heads of state of China and India exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Indian Ambassador to Beijing Xu Feihong said that China is interested in importing more products from India and wants to strengthen trade cooperation between the two countries. It is true that both countries have a huge domestic market due to demographics and if they are able to utilize it, world trade,especially Asian trade, will not take long to become stronger.

Essayist and Columnist,