Bishaldeep Kakati
(deep.kakati99@gmail.com)
If one flips over the pages of history, one would realize the fact that India and China haven’t been able to come to a consensus whenever the talk is about resolving the border. It has been often seen that something or the other doesn’t work out well between both the countries, as a result of which both the countries have been involved in one or the other fatal encounter that has further worsened the relationship between both the countries. In fact, the relationship between India and China has often oscillated between conflict, competition, and diplomatic wars. There are numerous instances where both countries have been involved in military encounters, and with the occurrence of the Galwan Valley Clash of 2020, the relation and connection between New Delhi and Beijing took a major jolt. Political trust and diplomacy between both countries were in disarray; troops from both countries were imposed on the LAC, and the Indian government further took steps like banning Chinese apps and visa processing. In fact, from that point itself, the Indo-China relationship looked dark and grey with the possibility of further military engagement.
However, things took a different turn when efforts were undertaken by both Delhi and Beijing to solve the issues and bring peace and tranquillity to the borders. This resulted in several rounds of diplomatic engagements and military-leader-level talks leading to the coming of a disengagement agreement between both countries. In fact, India’s external affairs minister, Jaishankar, stated that “the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas is a prerequisite for the development of our ties.” As such, in October 2024, India and China made a strategic border agreement to de-escalate the ongoing border clashes between both countries along the Line of Actual Control by pulling back the troops and resuming pre-2020 patrols in contested areas like Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh.
In fact, just after the announcement of the border accord by both countries aimed at bringing peace and stability to the borders and both countries as a whole, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia, which interestingly became their first bilateral meeting in five years. Adding to the very perspective of improved international ties between both the countries, the Chinese President stated that, “It’s important for both sides to shoulder our international responsibilities, set an example for boosting the strength and unity of the developing countries, and contribute to promoting multipolarization and democracy in international relations.” As such, the versions from representatives from both countries highlighted the desire of both countries to improve their relationship with the focus on handling the disputes.
Furthermore, India’s External Affairs Minister, Jaishankar, met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Rio de Janeiro on the sidelines of the G20 summit, which further enhanced the possibility of an improved India-China relationship. Both the ministers of the respective countries emphasised the need to build mutual trust to bring in normalcy in the relations of both the countries, thereby moving mutually in the process of de-escalation and enhanced diplomacy.
The Rio de Janeiro meeting of the representatives of both countries had other important key points as well. One amongst them was the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage to Tibet for Indian pilgrims. The same was stopped because of the COVID crisis as well as because of the ongoing tension in the borders between both the countries. If the same is resumed, then it will further be beneficial in improving the relationship between both the countries. Kailash Mansarovar has always been a sacred place for the Hindus, and the perspective of religion as a soft diplomacy can be a game changer in this regard. Only time can tell if this turns out to be a reality.
Another key discussion of the meet was the possibility of direct flights between both countries that shall further ease the mode of communication. In fact, the top two diplomats also discussed the possibility of both countries exchanging views on regional and global issues and thereby working together in solving broader international challenges. Furthermore, discussion on sharing data on trans-border rivers was also a key facet of the meet. Thus, the disengagement agreement and the Rio de Janeiro meet have no doubt provided a ray of hope in the direction of improved Indo-China relations, but one needs to think: Is everything as simple as it seems?
Although the border disengagement agreement looks promising, it raises a few pertinent questions. The government focused on the creation of demilitarised zones, limited non-patrolling zones, etc., but it hardly focused on the most commonly used term, ‘buffer zone.’ Thus this notion creates a doubt in the mind that: whether this agreement shall turn out to be a substantive move in solving the border tensions or shall just act as a tactical pause to de-escalate the war situation? Moreover, a tactical analysis of the agreement that came into being after almost 5 years further strengthens to an extent the age-old concept that often domestic and international pressure plays a significant role in shaping foreign policies. In this regard, the denizens are well aware of the fact that trade and markets of India and China are so closely dependent on each other. On the other hand, a country like China and its approach is very hard to predict and guess, and as such, the sustainability of this relationship is a question that only time can answer. Conspicuously, it will also be interesting to check in the years to come on China’s approach towards India in regards to the disengagement agreement: whether China will view India’s move as a method to build a pragmatic relationship or a mere sign of weakness.
All in all, the recent developments in the Indo-China relationship definitely look promising, and if these two nations can build a harmonious relationship, then not only in Asia but the globe as a whole will have something to watch out for.