Indian Nationalism and its China Policy

Abstract

T In 1994, Dutch scholar Peter van der Veer published Religious Nationalism: Hindus and Muslims in India, which explored the role of religious nationalism in Indian politics. Before that, religious nationalism was widely seen as a secular, religion-based mobilisation of communities, rather than a trend of thought with broad political implications. India's religious nationalism is politicized, and Modi describes himself more as a religious leader than a political leader in the process of governing and propaganda. After Modi became Prime minister, Indian religious nationalism has become the main political trend in India, and this top-down approach to Indian nationalism has also influenced India's diplomatic strategy towards China. The core question discussed in this paper is whether India's diplomatic attitude towards China will lead to a deadlock in Sino-Indian relations and bring security crisis to the two countries. This article will discuss India's new challenges to peace from a number of perspectives. What are the roots of Indian nationalism, what problems does Indian nationalism bring to Sino-Indian relations, and the future of Sino-Indian relations? India's religious nationalism has a profound impact on its foreign policy. Instead of secularization, Indian nationalism largely combines theocracy with nationalism, and gives birth to Hindu nationalism centered on Hinduism. The rise of such religious nationalism and the implementation of such policies will push China-India relations to a dangerous edge.