The Biases of India-China Relations by Adam Willett

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

It’s important to consider differing perspectives when reading any source of news, since there can be a sense of bias that favors one side rather than a neutral perspective. First, it is important to depict what an article is about based on the title. If it is seen as siding with one perspective with certain keywords, it will show bias towards one side rather than both. For example, one of my articles describes the India-China relationship status under Modi’s perspective, with the exact title, India-China Relations Under the Modi 3.0 Government (Levesques). Right away from the name of the article, readers can observe that the article will discuss the topic at hand, but from one side of the argument, since it mentions India’s Modi 3.0 Government. One of the most important parts of differing perspectives in an article or any source of news is to focus on the headline, since it could show bias towards one side over the other. Second, another way to differ in perspectives is to determine the quotes and additional sources used by one or both sides, which, if both, can help see both sides of the perspective for the reader. An example of this would be in India-China Relations: Narendra Modi’s Hope for a Thaw amid Uncertain Geopolitics, and this article uses quotes from both India and China. From India, “In a recent interview, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke positively about India's relationship with long-time rival China. He said normalcy had returned to the disputed India-China border and called for stronger ties,” (Kugelman) and from China, “Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning expressed appreciation for Modi's words and declared that "the two countries should be partners that contribute to each other's success,” (Kugelman). With these quotes, both sides of the central argument of the topic are given equal information so that there is a neutral perspective between the two sides. Lastly, the word choice within an article is crucial to differentiate perspectives, since certain words that trigger a sense of bias can favor one side over the other. To further this, in A Historical Evaluation of China’s India Policy: Lessons for India-China Relations, the article uses words like “coercion” to further show a bias towards China’s India Policy instead of India. From the article itself, “China’s increasing transgressions and attempts at coercion in the border areas since 2008–2009 have put the boundary question at the center of the India-China relationship” (Gokhale). The word choice in this article makes one side, which is China, make India look like they are being seen as something that should be dealt with. China, in this article, uses word choice to seem like the reader would be more in favor of siding with China instead of having a neutral bias between both sides. Differentiating perspectives is very important, as any article that has any sense of bias could favor one side over the other, making readers misinterpret having a one-sided perspective instead of a neutral perspective.

The Relations Under India's Modi 3.0 Government

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

Citation

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

Levesques, Antoine. “India–China Relations under the Modi 3.0 Government.” IISS, 2024, www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2024/07/indiachina-relations-under-the-modi-3.0-government. Accessed 29 May 2025.

What Bias is Most Seen?

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

Using the bias worksheet, I found out that this article uses the headline to put the main focus on Modi's 3.0 government. The article also uses a quote that shows a point of growth under Modi's government, which doesn't give China any say in this article.

Potential Audience

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

The Potential Audience that could be pointed to can be researchers who are interested in the Indian government, people who are interested in Modi's work, and different authors who write about the Southeast Asian government status.

Central Argument

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

The central argument around this article is that the Modi 3.0 government's main focus is to continue to execute a safe and happy relationship with China, since it frames India for restoring peace with China.

From Rivals to Friends under Modi and Mao Ning

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

Citation

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

Kugelman, Michael. “India-China Relations: Narendra Modi’s Hope for a Thaw amid Uncertain Geopolitics.” BBC, 24 Mar. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4nkxv4e4po. Accessed 23 May 2025.

What Bias is Most Seen?

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

The bias that is most seen to be a neutral perspective is the photos and quotes that are shown in the article. The photo shows Modi and Mao Ning shaking hands, which suggests that the photo favors both sides. The quotes used in this source give both sides an equal amount of favoritism since he uses a quote from Modi and Mao Ning.

Potential Audience

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

The potential audience for this article would be researchers who want to learn about the current status of India and China. Another would be US authors who consider the potential peace treaty with India and China for writing.

Central Argument

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

The central argument is Prime Minister Modi wanted to establish peace with China, and Mao Ning liked his kind words and agreed to do so.

China's India Policy underestimating India

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

Citation

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

Gokhale, Vijay. “A Historical Evaluation of China’s India Policy: Lessons for India-China Relations.” Carnegieendowment.org, 13 Dec. 2022, carnegieendowment.org/research/2022/12/a-historical-evaluation-of-chinas-india-policy-lessons-for-india-china-relations?lang=en. Accessed 23 May 2025.

What Bias is Most Seen?

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

The most bias seen in this article is the word choice used, as "coercion" is used to describe the China-India Policy, but favors more of the China side more than India.

Potential Audience

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

The potential audience for this article are Chinese researchers, Chinese citizens, researchers that look into China more than India and the policies of China, as well as international government officials on International Relationships.

Central Argument

28awillett — 2025-05-30 12:14:32 UTC

The central argument is that China's India policy underestimates India's autonomy, resulting in coercion for India's assertiveness and alliances.