What is the issue?
- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, recently announced in Delhi, the parameters that need to be bilaterally addressed to ease tensions.
- Despite the many outstanding issues, the future nevertheless looks hopeful.
What was the Chinese Statement?
- The statement broadly underpinned the Chinese intent and challenges with regard to India.
- The Intent - The current efforts in easing tensions are unsatisfactory and a ‘genuine cultivation of mutual trust’ was needed.
- India-China relations were at a crucial moment at present and both countries needed to make correct choices regarding the future of their relationship.
- Lessons should be learned from Dong Lang (Doklam) and such episodes should be prevented from happening again.
- Problems that are leftover from history need to be handled properly without politicizing and complicating them.
- The Actionables - Enhancing strategic communications at all levels, restore established dialogue mechanisms was stressed.
- The need for deepening practical co-operation in various fields and managing existing differences was voiced.
- Also, the benefits that await India, if it were to get on board the ‘Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)’ were emphasised.
What are some current challenges?
- Failed Systems - The “dialogue mechanism” set up in 2003 with special representatives (SR) from both sides, has been largely ineffective.
- It was formed to eventually delineated boundary along well-defined and easily identifiable natural geographical features.
- Also, the Joint Working Group — that was drafting a mutually agreeable Line of Actual Control had failed – leading to a complete stalemate.
- Notably, this helped in drawing sample maps in the Middle Sector, but failed to make any progress in the Western and Eastern Sectors.
- Even though a military hotline between the two army headquarters had been agreed upon years ago, it has not yet materialised.
- Aggression – Both countries have improved their border infrastructure, which will increase the possibilities of troops clashing with each other.
- China is opposed to India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), and is also shielding terrorist operating against India at the UN.
- Also, as Doklam is a territory disputed between Bhutan and China, China has been voicing for a bilateral settlement by circumventing Indian involvement.
- Chinese penetration in Sri Lanka, Nepal & Maldives, through high profile projects and finances is seen by India as interference in its backyard.
What is the way ahead?
- The border issue needs to be dealt appropriately to prevent it from becoming a distraction from other more productive areas of engagement.
- Significantly, making provisions to live with an unsettled border for now makes sense, rather than futile efforts to resolve it.
- Ensuring sustained goodwill & peace will pave the way for the simultaneous and symbiotic rise of both China & India.
- These are prerequisites for a more prosperous century that is touted to become the era of Asian dominance.
Source: The Hindu
