Diplomatic Offensive: During the 1971 war with Pakistan, India signed a treaty of 'Peace, Friendship and Cooperation' in August 1971 with the Soviet Union to deter both China and the US from supporting Pakistan militarily against its planned war with Pakistan in December that year. It was a brilliant strategic move on the part of the Indira Gandhi government. The wise dictum of international politics that "there are no permanent allies, no permanent friends, only permanent interests" must now guide Indian policy making to tackle Chinese claims on Arunachal Pradesh given the changed context of the post cold war period. While Indian military exercises with China are instrumental to build confidence between both states, it is equally wise for India to keep its alliance system robust so that a repeat of an 'isolated India' during the 1962 war is avoided. Improved relations with US, in addition to Russia would be key.
Act Local, Think Global: India's strength in Arunachal Pradesh is the support it has from the local people. India needs to subtly spread international awareness about China's aggressive behaviour. This must include continuous focus on the issue without letting slackness seep into its diplomatic efforts at the international level so much so that it is caught unawares by the kind of development that took place at the ADB in August. Also, locally, it needs to upgrade the infrastructure of Arunachal Pradesh, build roads and improve the living standards of the local people. The people of Arunachal, its mineral resources and bio-diversity are an asset to India and must find recognition in the mainstream political narrative.
In conclusion, while all three measures are important, dissuasive deterrence holds the key. Once that is in place, the other two guidelines can act as support mechanisms for a robust and confident Indian approach for dealing with Chinese belligerence in its border areas today and in the near future.