“There can be no normality in India-China ties unless the troops amassed at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are withdrawn”, External Affairs Minister told the Chinese Foreign Minister during talks that concluded without any joint statement or agreement on the way forward.
Border issue – Both sides agreed on the importance of early and complete disengagement in remaining areas to allow bilateral ties to take their natural course. They also stressed the need to continue positive interactions at diplomatic, military levels for the restoration of peace.
Allow Indian students to return – The issue of return of Indian students to china to resume their studies and hoped the Beijing will adopt a “non-discriminatory approach” on it.
Ukraine crisis – The two ministers agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire and a return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue to defuse the way in Ukraine.
China’s Kashmir remarks at the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) meet discussed – external affair ministry conveyed to Wang that India hopes that China would follow an independent policy in respect to India and will not allow its policies to be influenced by other countries.
China has proposed a three-point approach–
3500 km long border, varied perceptions
The India-China border, stretching from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to Ladakh, is largely not demarcated. Both sides claim vast swathes of each other’s territory, primarily due to differences in perception about the exact location of the Line of Actual Control.
Growing trade, and the imbalance
Trade remains heavily tilted in Beijing’s favour. India’s trade deficit with China is the largest it has with any country, and the imbalance has been steadily widening.
Figure in billion dollars
On Ukraine- Russia
Both agreed on an immediate ceasefire but the two positions weren’t entirely aligned. The point of difference has been china’s explicit blaming of the U.S and NATO for the crisis. On Afghanistan, India said China had not invited India to its conference on foreign ministers of neighbouring countries of Afghanistan to be hosted by Beijing.
The External Affairs Minister in 2021 suggested “three mutual” and “broad propositions” as a way forward for the relationship.
Mutual respect, mutual sensitivities, and mutual interests are the “determining factors”.
Adhering to commitment
The first proposition was that agreements already reached must be adhered to in their entirety, both in letter and in spirit.
Maintaining peace and tranquillity
Peace and tranquillity in border areas were the basis for the development of the relationship in other domains. If that was disturbed, he said, the rest of the relationship would be too.
Broader partnership
While both remain committed to a multipolar world, they should recognise that a Multipolar Asia was one of its essential constituents.
Reciprocity
While each state had its interests, concerns, and priorities, sensitivities to them could not be one-sided and relations were reciprocal in nature. As rising powers, neither should ignore the other’s set of aspirations.
Divergences management
While both sides had made a common cause on development and economic issues and common membership of plurilateral groups was a meeting point, there were divergences when it came to interests and aspirations.
Civilizational ties
Civilizational states, India and China must always take the long view.
Cooperation and competition
Even before the events of 2020, the relationship had reflected a duality of cooperation and competition.
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