India-China Relations: A Potential Thaw Amidst Enduring Strategic Challenges
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (SCO, BRI, CPEC), Bilateral relations with neighbors, Important Agreements, Geography (Line of Actual Control, Kailash Manasarovar).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2: India and its neighborhood- relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Effect of policies and politics of developed countries on India’s interests.
Key Highlights from the News
Signs of a diplomatic thaw in India-China relations after four years of military standoff following the Galwan clash. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India.
Special Representatives (SR) talk (special representative talks) to discuss border issues resumed.
Both countries, in principle, agreed to resume border trade, direct flight services, and the Kailash Manasarovar yatra.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin.
It was also agreed to move forward based on the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for resolving the border dispute.
However, issues such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and China's diplomatic support for Pakistan continue to be major challenges in the relations between the two countries.
The author warns that pressure from high tariffs imposed by the US on India could be a factor pushing India closer to China, but India should not forget the long-term strategic challenge posed by China.
COMMENTS