About the author: Vijay Gokhale retired from the Indian Foreign Service in January 2020, after a diplomatic career that spanned 39 years. From January 2018 to January 2020, he served as the Foreign Secretary of India. Prior to his term as foreign secretary, he had served as India’s high commissioner to Malaysia from January 2010 to October 2013, as ambassador of India to Germany from October 2013 to January 2016 and as ambassador to the People’s Republic of China from January 2016 to October 2017. During his time in the headquarters, he also served in key positions such as the East Asia division, including as Joint Secretary (Director General) for East Asia from March 2007 to December 2009.
The Long Game by Ambassador Vijay Gokhale, who served as Foreign Secretary to the Government of India is a book of critical importance. It is so not just because it is based on India’s greatest strategic challenge, i.e China but also because it provides an insiders’ perspective of this crucial neighbour of ours. At the outset, it is useful to describe the broad contours of the book, before getting into its granular components. The Long Game sheds light on the hard-nosed attitude of the Chinese towards India, from their earliest interactions as independent states.
While elaborating on the six-critical negotiations between India and China since their inception as modern nations, Vijay Gokhale continuously builds a narrative, away from the popular illusion that China ever shared convergent interests with India in Asia and globally. The book is devoid of any jargon or complicated words and is written in a manner that is simple for any reader to understand. The six negotiations dealt in detail, provide not just an understanding of the convoluted history between the two but also an insider’s perspective on what transpired during these negotiations. As someone who has been an ardent student of the subject, Ambassador Gokhale uses his vast experience as ambassador to China and then as Foreign Secretary.
The contents of this book are divided into 7 chapters. Of these 7, the first six chapters focus on a peculiar negotiation episode that shaped the course of this relationship. The first chapter, “Recognition,” delves into the historical events and examines how perspectives vis-à-vis the diplomatic recognition of the then new Communist Chinese government evolved within the Indian government. Soon after the Nationalist forces fleeing the mainland and within three months of the announcement of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, India became one of the first nations to diplomatically recognize the new country. As Gokhale points out, “India’s recognition neither secured friendship of China nor the security of India’s northern frontier,”
The second chapter dives into another crucial component, Tibet, speaking about the objectives pursued by both vis-à-vis Tibet and their respective negotiation strategies. Ambassador Gokhale argues that the two main strategies deployed by the Chinese to negotiate with India are deception and engagement. Early on in the relationship, the Chinese strategy involved diverting India’s attention, in a variety of ways that Gokhale details. Ultimately, the worst case scenario regarding Tibet became too late for India to offer assistance or coordinate any joint action against China at the global level.
The third chapter is titled “Pokhran – How to Untie a Knot from the Tiger’s Neck”. It very lucidly recounts the diplomatic repercussions following India’s decision to go nuclear in May 1998. Gokhale posits that after a neutral statement following the first two tests on 11 May, China returned with a strongly worded condemnation a few days later. He also identifies the devices deployed by China to isolate India on the international stage. The chapter also highlights China’s strategies and approaches in multilateral and bilateral settings. Ultimately, the chapter elucidates how China dealt with India both multilaterally and bilaterally until normal state-to-state relations could be restored in 2001. “The Chinese leadership is thin-skinned: unsettling them by impugning their self-image and how they want the rest of the world to view them can work to the other side’s advantage,” argues Gokhale.
The fourth chapter is centred around certain intriguing diplomatic negotiations between India and China, which culminated eventually in China referencing Sikkim as a “State of India” in the India-China Joint Statement of 11 April 2005. China’s approach following the integration of Sikkim in 1975 and how both sides drew on their past experiences to shape negotiations have also been delved on. China’s tactical adjustments and negotiating strategies in pursuit of its objectives are highlighted by Gokhale who contends that presuming China’s silence as agreement can be dangerous for countries, and the coming generations need to pay attention to what China does not say or does not do.
The fifth chapter, “123 Deal – The Big Turnabout” studies the Chinese diplomatic strategy to divert the attention of the international community from making an exception for India in the Indo-US nuclear deal. Gokhale highlights that China utilises consensus as a tool to impede global cooperation, obstruct multilateral initiatives that are not favourable, and force others to seek their assistance. This strategy, according to Gokhale, enables China to obtain concessions even if they are the only dissenting party.
Finally, the sixth chapter deals with a factor which would catch the eye of any reader from India. This chapter was made even more interesting by providing the Chinese perspective on a subject of critical importance to the corridor of India-Pakistan relations. This chapter deals with Masood Azhar, a proscribed Pakistani terrorist. Ambassador Gokhale examines the strategies deployed by China in dealing with India’s request to designate Maulana Masood Azhar, chief of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed as a terrorist in the UNSC 1267 sanctions list. This chapter examines Beijing’s reaction that followed India’s submission to the UN Sanctions Committee, along with India’s diplomatic endeavours in multilateral and bilateral fora. Gokhale argues that a key feature of China’s negotiations is the repeated emphasis on the same point in multiple ways.
The book finally culminates with some critical “Lessons for India”, drawn from the six critical negotiations presented in the book. It provides valuable insights into Beijing’s negotiation tactics and provides a framework for engaging with China in future negotiations. Gokhale also observes that the Chinese diplomatic style has been characterised and influenced by theatrics. China’s usage of the term “wolf warrior” should not be mistaken for genuine emotions but rather a shift towards mere presentation. A very crucial lesson ultimately sums up Gokhale’s insights in dealing with China - personalised styles of diplomacy yield no favourable results while dealing with Beijing. This observation calls for a more nuanced and strategic approach to negotiations with China.
Commendation of The Long Game
An immediate “catch” of The Long Game is the language used in the book. Unlike many other pieces written on the subject written by various subject matter experts, the language of the book is quite lucid. A very strong proponent of the book is the fact that it doesn’t require its reader to be extremely well versed in the subject. The book doesn’t follow the template of a rigorous academic research paper, but that of a simple, easy going book. It’s readers can benefit by understanding a very comprehensive account of India-China relations from a person who has been at the helm of affairs.
Adding to the comprehensive account that it provides, the book hooks the reader with the nuanced and detailed accounts of diplomacy, underscoring their respective interest in international relations and the art of negotiations. The book is also vital for those who value practical and real-world insights into geopolitical challenges, particularly vis-à-vis a neighbour like China.
Another interesting factor of this book is its detailed description of China’s long-term strategic planning, contrasting with India’s often reactive approach. Someone who values strategic insights and the importance of subtle manoeuvring in diplomacy involving high-stakes would be drawn to this book. Certain detail-oriented readers would enjoy the meticulousness with which Gokhale narrates these key moments.
It is also helpful in nudging budding scholars and academicians to pursue their interests of being keen China watchers and exploring further nuances of India-China relations and their respective engagements with the outside world.
One chapter that was particularly interesting to me was the one regarding Masood Azhar. Ambassador Gokhale highlights ‘Pakistan had been an important relationship for China since the early 1960s. Over time, this relationship had transformed into a strategic alliance with India as the most important target, despite protestations by China to the contrary.’ This chapter highlights the growing relationship between China and Pakistan and their international collaboration for many anti-India positions. This interplay has been highlighted in Vijay Gokhale’s book by annotating in great length on the Masood Azhar case.
Finally, the context in which the book is written is evergreen. The reader doesn’t get the impression that the content of this book is outdated or doesn’t suit a particular period. As it provides an all round development of the relationship, starting from historical ties, the book is fairly comprehensive and evergreen in putting forward its narrative to the reader.
Criticisms of The Long Game
An immediate point of criticism that comes up to the reader while reading this book is a subtle sense of India’s diplomatic efforts being outmanoeuvred by the Chinese. While Gokhale provides a conscript analysis of these negotiations, the narrative of India’s diplomatic prowess being inferior is a recurring theme. A more all round view of the relationship where India outmanoeuvred China’s negotiations could provide a better understanding.
Another limitation of the book is its narrow emphasis on negotiation techniques, coming at the expense of a broader contextual analysis. The case study approach largely overlooks the overall geopolitical dynamics that shape Beijing’s strategy with its neighbour. The lack of comprehensive context leaves readers without an understanding of the backdrop and the potential drivers of China’s policies and actions vis-à-vis India.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Long Game attracts a reader who is both intellectually interested in the history of this relationship and also for someone who seeks to build an understanding on China, from a nascent stage. As stated earlier as well, this is the immediate hook of the book. Ambassador Gokhale’s book isn’t simply a history of the relationship or a memoir of his experiences but a blend of both. It also provides a comprehensive account for someone who is deeply interested in the intricate negotiations between India and China.
