Event Report

NIICE organised discussion on “Relevance of Panchsheel in a Fractious World Order” with Anil Trigunayat, a former Indian diplomat who has served in numerous Indian missions around the globe as the keynote speaker, on 16^th July 2024.

The event was focused on the relevance and importance of Panchsheel principles in today’s world politics. Panchasheel is the five principles which was jointly emphasized by Indian and China in 1954. Those five principles are mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. The dialogue focuses on various issues in implementation of those principles even though it was acknowledged by China-India and even in the UN charter.

Amb Anil Trigunayat begins by providing brief history on the birth of panchsheel. He describes how its was forwarded by India to China so that the two nations can live in harmony and peace. Initially the proposal was ignored by China but in 1954 both parties acknowledge it. But the peace couldn’t last long due to 1962 war between China and India. After the 1962 war both countries are not able to uphold the principles of panchsheel. India and China had major border dispute in Galwan valley which made their relation very weak at least in ideology and politics. In this crisis of global governance every nation is thinking on its own. This shift in geopolitics makes its harder to implement the principles of panchsheel.

The dialogue commenced with Amb Trigunayat highlighting the crisis in global governance. He talks about geo-political, geo-economic, geo-religious and geo-technological fight going on around the world. This had led to conflicts among various nation state. In such situation multinational institute like UN and WTO seems infective as they are not able to do the specific task they were created to do at first place. UN security council is divided between Russia and China in one side and USA, France and UK in another side. Due to this division UN is unable to implement policies which are there to stop conflict in the world.

In such dire situation the principles of Panchsheel are just for name and in paper. Countries are doing only lip service and not ready to implement the principles. Mr. Trigunayat talks about how China have been ignoring India’s proposal for peace and cooperation. China is focused on taking advantage of shifting world dynamics to its advantage. Although the trade between India and China is high, it is not reflected on their border and security conflicts. Increasing trade is the outcome of globalization which have made countries interdependent on each other.

While answering to participant’s questions Mr. Triguyant give example of power struggle in family and mention that its natural human tendency to strive and fight for more power and influence where resources and space is limited. That’s why although Panchsheel’s principles are ideologically good but in real world every nation will do what they can to get more power and influence. Panchsheel have been ineffective in modern world because big powers are not ready to implement it themselves. Only when they do others will follow. This hunger for power has created regional warfare in different parts. Infectiveness of UN have been the main challenge for implementing the principles of Panchsheel. Countries are individually making decisions that harms others in the process and UN is not able to stop it.

China is so focused in taking over US and be next hegemon it is ignoring India’s plea to cooperation and peace. Incident is Galwan valley is big example of China’s aggressiveness instead of dialogue. There have been fundamental violation of border security and to make things worse China built Pakistan Economic Corridor going through Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Even with many disagreements China and India have worked together in regional and global issues where interest of both nations has aligned. The effectiveness of Panchsheel principles is in doubt as the world have changed greatly from the time Panchsheel was created. To the world is making changes, the hegemony of USA is weak and multipolarism and non-alignment is taking place. Countries are concerned about own benefits and interest. Digital diplomacy and drone warfare have changed the way things were done traditionally. Non-state actors and terrorist groups are more effective and efficient in the use of technology which is a great threat for global peace and cooperation.

Overall, the discussion revolves around the Pansheel and its relevance in today’s world. How things have changed to a great degree since it was created, and ineffectiveness of responsible intuitions have made the implementation very difficult. However, Mr.Triguyanat emphasized that dialogue and communication is important to implement and principles of Pansheel and old institutions like UN should be able reform according to changing geo-politics so it is effective and relevant.