China’s New Foreign Affairs Law Raises Concerns for India

On June 28, China has passed a new law on foreign relations that aims to enhance coordination among its existing foreign affairs legislations and departments. The law emphasizes national security-driven foreign affairs rather than economic interests, aligning with President Xi Jinping’s foreign policy vision. It establishes the Central Foreign Affairs Commission (CFAC), led by Xi, as the decision-making body for China’s foreign policy.

The law also hints at China’s intention to develop its own long-arm jurisdiction, similar to the United States, to target entities beyond its physical territory. This move is seen as a response to US sanctions and other measures targeting Chinese companies. Beijing aims to strengthen its lawfare strategy and protect its interests against foreign sanctions.

India is closely watching this development, as the law clarifies that China is willing to use harsh economic tools to target New Delhi if their relations worsen. In a recent statement, India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar called on China to abide by the 2016 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ruling on the South China Sea territorial dispute. This marks a significant shift in India’s stance on the issue and sets a precedent for its role in East Asia, potentially including the Taiwan contingency.

Although high-level exchanges between India and China remain limited, a former Deputy National Security Advisor from India recently participated in a forum in Beijing. This engagement may indicate a desire for dialogue, even as tensions persist between the two countries.

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