Who is Kishore Mahbubani and why do His Views Deserve Scrutiny
The RCEP Illusion: Why India Should Not Join a China-Led Bloc
- Indo-China Relations: Myths of Convergence and Strategic Reality
- China’s Economic Imperialism: The Modern Face of Domination
- India’s Economic Dependence on China: A Sector-Wise Breakdown
- Mahbubani’s Free Trade Advocacy: A Recipe for National Vulnerability
- Why Comparing China to Nazi Germany is Not Exaggeration
Justice Katju critiques Kishore Mahbubani’s views on India-China relations, exposing China's imperialist economics and strategic dominance in Indian markets.
The inanity of Kishore Mahbubani
By Justice Markandey Katju
Kishore Mahbubani is a former Singapore diplomat and academician who often speaks on various political and economic issues, and is often regarded as an expert in politics, and a great 'intellectual'. However, in my opinion he is only a superficial and inane thinker, and this becomes evident when he talks of Indo-China relations
Mahbubani believes that both China and India will benefit by what he calls 'convergence of interest'.
He has recommended that India join the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership--an organization led by China), and has said that by joining such an organization the Indian economy can grow 5 times bigger, as China did between 1980 and 2020. Regarding the Indo-Chinese clash in Aksai Chin he said it was only an accident, and President Xi Jinping wants a long term relation with India.
In an interview with Indian journalist Barkha Dutt he said that it is very important for India and China to 'get along', and 'get their relations right'.
In this interview he strongly advocated India joining the RCEP, and tried to allay Indian fears that this would be like a chicken entering a pen with a fox in it, which would soon eat it, by saying that China is only 1 of the 15 members of RCEP ( when everyone knows it is the dominant member ). He advocates free trade between India, China and Pakistan, saying that this will benefit all. He also says that China has been very generous to South East Asian countries, and adds that China will give unilateral concessions temporarily to enable South East Asian countries to catch up with China. He ends by his facetious and meaningless statement '' Use your adversary to make yourself stronger )
I have replied to all these arguments in my article whose link is below ( please particularly see the links within this link )
As mentioned in this article, far from being a benevolent big brother, China today is a ruthless imperialist power seeking to dominate, enslave and exploit other countries, like Nazi Germany
Some people say that China cannot be called imperialist as it has not made military conquests, as Britain, France and Japan did. Such people do not understand that the essence of imperialism is not military conquests of other countries, but capturing their markets and raw materials, which can also be done peacefully.
In my article below I have explained how China has been capturing markets in several sectors of the Indian economy ( which is what an imperialist power does )
https://www.outlookindia.com/opinion/trumps-opposition-to-chinese-imperialism-overshadows-his-defects-news-316451
In my interview by eminent jurist, MP and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal I pointed this out ( see from 25 minutes and onwards in this interview )
As mentioned by Sibal, around 75% of India's smartphone parts are imported from China, 70% of pharmaceutical ingredients crucial for our generic drug industry come from China, imports from China of essential components in electronic vehicles is growing, 25% of auto parts in India come from China, as do 80% of solar modules and cells, major telecom players depend largely on Chinese equipment, with Huawei and ZTV being primary suppliers, 30% of India's textile inputs come from China, 40% of raw materials for chemical industries come from China, etc etc
Several sectors of the Indian economy have seen significant penetration by Chinese companies, particularly in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and automotive parts. Chinese investments are also prominent in areas like logistics, retail, and consumer goods.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Electronics: China accounts for a large portion of India's electronics imports, including mobile phones and components. Chinese companies like Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and Huawei have also invested heavily in manufacturing and retail within India.
2. Pharmaceuticals: India relies heavily on China for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), which are crucial for the production of generic medicines.
3. Automotive: While not as dominant as in electronics, China's share in India's automotive parts imports is also substantial. Chinese car manufacturers like Chery are also exploring partnerships in the Indian market.
4. Other Sectors: Chinese companies have also invested in various other sectors, including:
Consumer Goods: Including household appliances and other consumer electronics.
Logistics and Retail: Chinese companies are expanding their presence in these areas, potentially impacting the Indian retail landscape.
Power Equipment and Steel: Notable investments have been made in these sectors, with companies like TBEA and Sino-steel.
E-commerce: Chinese e-commerce giants have also made inroads into the Indian market.
Emerging Sectors: There is a growing trend of Chinese companies targeting sectors like glass-ware, batteries, and dental equipment.
Reasons for Penetration :
Favorable Investment Policies:
China's strong manufacturing base and competitive pricing have made it an attractive source for Indian industries.
Government Initiatives:
Initiatives like "Digital India" have fueled demand for electronics and telecom equipment, further boosting Chinese exports.
Lower Production Costs:
Chinese companies often benefit from lower labor costs and economies of scale, enabling them to offer competitive prices.
Impact on India :
Trade Deficit :
India faces a significant trade deficit with China, largely driven by imports of intermediate and production goods.
Dependence:
Reliance on China for critical components like APIs and electronic parts can create vulnerabilities for Indian industries.
Competition :
Chinese companies pose a deadly challenge to domestic manufacturers, especially in sectors where they have a strong presence.
In view of the above, it is evident that Kishore Mahbubani is talking bunkum, claptrap, baloney, humbug and drivel.
For India to have a partnership with China will be like the lady from Niger who went for a ride on a tiger, about whom this limerick was written :
There was a lady from Niger
Who went for a ride on a tiger
They returned from the ride
With the lady inside
And a smile on the face of the tiger.
(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of the Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own.)
