India-China Relations: A Push for Normalization Amidst Border Tensions
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India-China relations, Line of Actual Control - LAC, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation - SCO, Special Representative talks).
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
Main Event: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to improve bilateral relations.
India's Stance:
India emphasized that maintaining peace and tranquility at the border is fundamental to improving relations.
India strongly demanded that the process of de-escalation of troops from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) should move forward.
India's demand is to restore the status quo before April 2020.
China's Stance: China expressed its readiness to cooperate with India to address global challenges.
Ongoing Discussions: The 24th round of Special Representative talks to resolve the border dispute is taking place as part of this visit.
Efforts to Normalize Relations:
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed.
India has resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese tourists.
Sharing of river water data and resumption of direct flight services are under discussion.
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