India-China Rapprochement: Bilateral Thaw and a Potential Shift on Terrorism
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (International organisations like SCO, BRICS); Bilateral relations with neighbors (China, Myanmar); India's foreign policy doctrines.
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 (SCO); Effect of policies and politics of other countries on India’s interests.
Key Highlights from the News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a significant bilateral meeting during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility at the border. It was also agreed that the border issue should not define the overall relationship between the two countries.
It was decided to strengthen people-to-people ties by restoring flight services, visa facilities, and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
The necessity of cooperating against terrorism was discussed. Prime Minister Modi's statement that India and China are "victims of terrorism" is seen as a significant shifting stance from India's previous positions.
The Prime Minister underscored India's foreign policy of strategic autonomy, stating that the India-China relationship should not be viewed through a third-country lens.
It is noteworthy that this meeting took place against the backdrop of the US tariff wars.
The Prime Minister clarified in his meeting with the Myanmar leader that India attaches great importance to its relationship with Myanmar, as it is part of India's 'Neighborhood First' and 'Act East' policies.
Detailed Explanation: Key Concepts
India-China Relations:
After the Galwan conflict in 2020, India-China relations were severely strained. The ongoing high-level talks are part of efforts towards normalization of the relationship.
Strategic Autonomy:
This is a country's ability to engage independently with all major powers based on its national interests, without being part of any specific country or military alliance.
The statement "should not be viewed through a third-country lens" clarifies that India's relationship with the US will not determine its relationship with China.
India's Stance on Terrorism vis-à-vis China:
Previous Stance: India had strongly criticized China's repeated "technical holds" in the UN Security Council on India's efforts to declare Pakistan-based terrorists (e.g., Masood Azhar) as global terrorists. India's main accusation was that China exhibited "double-standards" on terrorism.
New Change: By stating that "both countries are victims of terrorism," India is attempting a new diplomatic approach to encourage China to take a common stance against Pakistan-based terrorist organizations.
India's Myanmar Policy:
'Neighborhood First' Policy: India prioritizes peaceful and cooperative relationships with its South Asian neighbors.
'Act East' Policy: This policy aims to strengthen and make more active relationships with Southeast Asian countries.
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