India-China: Steps to Normalisation

Context

India and China, two of Asia’s largest powers, have remained locked in a delicate balance of cooperation and rivalry. The Galwan clashes of June 2020 left a deep impact on bilateral ties, with trust severely eroded. However, the recent two-day visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to New Delhi signals a potential thaw. The visit—at the invitation of India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval for the 24th round of Special Representatives (SR) talks on the boundary question—was termed “productive” by both sides. The developments hold significance not just for bilateral relations but also for regional stability and global geopolitics.

Background of Tensions

• Galwan Clashes and Standoff

• • • In June 2020, violent clashes in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and several Chinese troops.
    • Since then, multiple rounds of top-level talks have taken place, but full disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) remains incomplete.

• Economic and Political Impact

• • • India increased scrutiny over Chinese investments, apps, and imports post-2020.
    • Bilateral dialogue slowed, becoming restricted mainly to military and diplomatic channels. 

Key Outcomes of the Visit

• High-Level Engagements

• • • Boundary Talks: NSA Ajit Doval and Wang Yi discussed expediting the process of boundary resolution along the 3,500 km-long unresolved India-China border.
    • Ministerial Dialogue: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held bilateral talks, focusing on normalization of ties.
    • Leadership Meeting: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Wang Yi and confirmed his travel to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where he will meet President Xi Jinping.

• Confidence-Building Measures

• • • Resumption of Border Trade: Agreements to restart trade at three border points, long disrupted by tensions.
    • Direct Flights: Decision to resume direct flights, facilitating people-to-people contact, trade, and tourism.
    • Kailash Manasarovar Yatra: Expansion of slots for Indian pilgrims indicates a religious-cultural dimension to engagement.
    • Visa Relaxation: Loosening of restrictions on business and academic visas.

• Economic Aspects

• • • Positive Talks: India sought lifting of Chinese export restrictions on fertilizers, rare earths, and machinery.
    • Contentions: Uncertainty remained on China’s demand for India to ease scrutiny of Chinese FDI.

• Boundary Resolution Framework

• • • A notable development was India’s willingness to build upon the 2005 “Political Parameters and Guiding Principles” agreement, which lays down the framework for boundary settlement through mutual understanding, no disturbance of settled populations, and fair adjustments.

Chinese Position

• Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong expressed disagreement with the U.S. decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian imports, labeling it a “bully” move.
• This reflects Beijing’s attempt to portray itself as supportive of India against Western unilateral economic actions, possibly to counterbalance U.S.-India closeness.

Significance of the Visit

• Bilateral Dimension

• • • Trust-Building: Symbolic but important steps toward normalisation after Galwan.
    • Trade Normalisation: Restoration of economic exchanges could reduce tensions.
    • Public Diplomacy: Relaxing pilgrim movement and tourism demonstrates intent to restore normal channels of interaction.

• Regional Context

• • • Engagement reduces the risk of instability along the volatile LAC.
    • A cooperative India-China relationship enhances prospects for stability in South Asia and within groupings such as BRICS and SCO.

• Global Geopolitics

• • • With the U.S.-China rivalry intensifying, Beijing may see value in improving ties with New Delhi to reduce American influence in Asia.
    • India, however, remains cautious, balancing strategic partnerships with the U.S., Japan, and Australia under the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).

Challenges and Unresolved Issues

• Incomplete Disengagement: Several friction points along the LAC are still unresolved.
• Strategic Trust Deficit: Galwan left deep scars; both militaries remain on alert.
• Economic Concerns: India is unlikely to ease scrutiny of Chinese FDI soon due to security considerations.
• Geopolitical Divergence: India’s Indo-Pacific strategy differs from China’s ambitions; rivalry in regional and global forums persists.

 Way Forward

• Sustained Military Dialogue: Continue Corps Commander-level talks to reduce chances of flare-ups.
• Gradual Economic Normalisation: Start with non-sensitive areas of trade, while retaining caution in strategic sectors.
• Confidence-Building Measures in People-to-People Exchange: More emphasis on tourism, cultural exchanges, and academic cooperation.
• Institutional Frameworks: Use existing mechanisms such as the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) to maintain regular communication.
• Strategic Autonomy: India should balance engagement with China while deepening ties with other partners, safeguarding its sovereignty and interests.

Source: The Hindu

Download as PDF