India-China Relations: Normalization on the Surface, Core Issues Unresolved
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India-China, Line of Actual Control - LAC, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation - SCO, Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination - WMCC), Geography (Brahmaputra River/Yarlung Sangpo).
Mains:
GS Paper 2: India and its neighborhood- relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Key Highlights from the News
India-China relations, which worsened after the 2020 Galwan clash, are seeing attempts at normalization. As part of this, India has started re-issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens.
The resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and the initiation of direct flight services are also under discussion.
However, despite these friendly gestures, fundamental strategic issues remain unresolved.
There is no clarity on what caused the Chinese army's incursions across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 2020.
The article expresses concern that the government might be backing down from India's previous stance that other relations can only normalize after "peace and tranquillity" is restored at the border.
Normalization in other sectors is happening without progress on key issues like troop de-escalation, cessation of construction activities in disputed areas, and restoration of pre-2020 patrolling rights.
The article warns that merely restoring bilateral mechanisms is not enough for rebuilding trust, and ignoring major issues could jeopardize relations.
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