What are the long standing issues?
- Border issue - It is rooted in the disputed status of the McMahon Line, which defines the border between India and Tibet.
- There has not been a remarkable progress in resolving the border dispute between the two sides due to the importance of Aksai Chin to China and Arunachal Pradesh to India.
- Dalai Lama - The presence of more than 1,00,000 Tibetans refugees in India and India’s continued willingness to provide shelter to the Dalai Lama is a continued source of irritation in China-India relations.
- NSG - China is well-established within the global nuclear order with a veto power for granting memberships in nuclear suppliers group.
- India certainly faces an uneven playing field on the issue of NSG membership.
- Mazood Azhar - When India raised its concerns in UNSC, China was the only country among the 15-members to have opposed the ban on Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar
- BRI - China considers the CPEC projects planned in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for Gilgit-Baltistan as a part of the Belt and Road initiative due to concerns over “sovereignty” of India.
- Doklam - China attempted to build a road construction by bringing in earthmovers and construction machines in the Doklam area of Bhutan.
- The Indian Army had asked the PLA to stop the road construction activity that has resulted in a stand-off.
- Territorial distress - Recent intrusions by PLA of china in Indian borders near J&K, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh is also creating distress in Indian side.
- Neighbourhood ties - China is strengthening its trade and defence ties with countries which are strategically important to India, it poses security threats to India.
What are the reasons for the issues?
- Consequent change in the balance of power between India and China in South Asia.
- Both promote the notion of a multi-polar world in which they want serve as bigger players alongside the United States.
- India’s attitude towards cordial relations with China remains mixed.
How can these issues be addressed?
- SAARC - India needs to rekindle the SAARC process in order to secure historical affinity with its neighbours.
- Strategic agreements - Instead of starting from the historical issues, both countries can resolve the present issues.
- Strategic plans may be devised so that long standing issues will be addressed.
- Economical treaties - ‘Friendship and cooperation treaty’ and a free trade agreement (FTA) to boost bilateral relations.
- Competitive coexistence - The promotion of business and people-centred connectivity and mutual confidence-building should be implemented.
- India’s active participation in Chinese initiatives such has BRI, SCO, etc. across all distress will attracts the Chinese attention.
- Mutual interest - The two countries have a common interest in curbing religious radicalism and terrorism, strategic dialogues can be pronounced on this mutual interests.
