Why in news?
The 9th annual BRICS summit had just concluded in Xiamen in China recently.
How was the India – China Bonhomie?
- By putting up a united front at the BRICS summit, and proposing a revival of the Panchsheel principles of peaceful cooperation, India & China displayed a strong willingness to strengthen cooperation.
- The conference sent a clear message that both sides are willing to look beyond the recent Doklam military stand-off and solve future issues through negotiations and diplomacy.
- There were also indications that new mechanisms to strengthen the border defence agreements are being considered.
- China also chose not to speak of the contentious Belt and Road Initiative at the summit, respecting India’s concerns.
How was the overall consensus?
- Member countries expressed their displeasure with the kind of economic protectionism that the US is now espousing.
- They also asserted their commitment to an “open and inclusive” multilateral trading system.
- North Korea was univocally condemned for its aggressive posturing by all members, while at the same time they advocated dialogue to resolve the crisis.
- All member countries had endorsed the labelling of “Lashkar-e-Taiba” and the “Jaish-e-Mohammed” as terrorist groups threatening regional stability.
How does the future hold?
- China & India must restart meetings of the Special Representatives, to speed up discussions on border disputes in Sikkim & the eastern sector.
- Also, the BRICS view on terrorist groups like the LeT and JeM needs to be translated into actionable points.
- UN Security Council’s meeting in October will see the issue of designating JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.
- China’s stand at the ‘Security Council” will be closely watched as it had blocked previous such resolutions.
Source: The Hindu
