New Delhi, May 1: The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to the closure of the Hormuz Strait, resulting in a significant energy crisis. This situation has highlighted the contrasting approaches of India and China in dealing with their neighbors during challenging times.
According to an article in the Daily Mirror Online, “When China discusses energy supplies, as seen with Taiwan, it often comes with political conditions attached. In contrast, when India provides fuel to Nepal or Sri Lanka, it does so under pre-existing agreements without any political strings or pressure.”
The article notes that while China’s response was swift, it was primarily self-serving. China ordered a halt to new fuel export deals and attempted to cancel existing supply agreements, exacerbating the already strained global fuel market due to the Middle East conflict. Countries like Australia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, which rely on China for fuel, found themselves in sudden distress.
China possesses a substantial reserve of crude oil and a robust renewable energy sector, allowing it to weather the crisis better than its neighbors. However, Beijing seems to believe that a regional shortage would be more advantageous for its interests.
The article further explains that China attempted to leverage this opportunity to exert pressure on its neighbors. It offered oil to Taiwan but conditioned it on a peaceful unification with China, a proposal that Taiwan promptly rejected. In stark contrast, India took a different approach.
Instead of retreating, India sent approximately 38,000 metric tons of fuel to Sri Lanka, addressing a significant portion of its immediate needs. Nepal and Bhutan, which are entirely dependent on India, continued to receive uninterrupted fuel supplies. Additionally, Bangladesh was provided with extra diesel, with assurances of ongoing supply through pipelines.
The article concludes, “These actions were not mere gestures but part of India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy, which has proven effective even in times of genuine crisis.”
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