Context: 

Recently, in Johannesburg, South Africa, a meeting was held between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and top Chinese diplomat and Politburo member Wang Yi to share their concerns and move ahead for positive ties.

Discussed Points of the Meeting: 

• Situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC): Concern over the situation along the LAC was discussed.
• Need for Trustable Ties: India claimed that China’s actions had eroded the public and political basis of ties and now it’s a time to build and maintain trust in ties.
• Need to restore Normalcy in Relations: There is a need to restore peace and tranquility in the border areas to bring normalcy in bilateral relations. 
• Healthy & Stable Development: China emphasized for the early return of ties to the track of healthy and stable development. 
• Following Bali Consensus: China called to follow the Bali Consensus of last year to stabilize bilateral ties. 

Areas of Cooperation between India and China:

• Diplomatic Relations: India became the first non-socialist bloc country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1950.
• High-Level Visits: The exchange of visits by top leaders have contributed to improving bilateral relations.
• Dialogue Mechanisms: Both countries have established various dialogue mechanisms at different levels to discuss political, economic, consular, and regional issues.
• Bilateral Trade: It has grown significantly. Trade with China boomed to record levels in 2020 and 2021 led by imports of Chinese machinery
• Investments: It also has been increasing, particularly in sectors like IT, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles.
• Joint Research Workshops: Both countries have organized joint research workshops to foster collaboration and innovation in the field of science and technology.
• IT Corridors: It has been done in promoting cooperation in information technology and high-tech sectors.
• Cultural Exchanges: India and China have a long history of cultural exchanges dating back centuries. Cultural events, performances, and agreements to establish institutions like the Yoga College in China reflect the cultural cooperation between the two countries.
• Educational Cooperation: A high number of students of both countries studying in each others’ educational institutions.
• People-to-People Exchanges: There are various mechanisms to facilitate exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including art, media, sports, tourism, traditional medicine, etc.
• Defense Cooperation: Joint military exercises like ‘Hand in Hand’ have been conducted to enhance mutual understanding and counterterrorism capabilities.
• Multilateral Cooperation: 
  • BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa)
  • Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
  • Russia-India-China Trilateral (RIC)
  • World Trade Organisation (WTO)
  • BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, China)

Challenges between India and China:

• Border Disputes:
  • Western Sector: The Aksai Chin region is a territorial dispute where both countries claim it as part of their own territory.
  • Middle Sector: China stakes claim over an area in Uttarakhand, creating a border dispute.
  • Eastern Sector: The McMahon Line, the boundary between India and Tibet, is disputed by China.
  • Johnson Line vs. McDonald Line: India and China hold different positions on the demarcation of the border.
• Water Dispute: 
  • China’s construction of dams in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River without a formal water-sharing treaty poses a threat to India, leading to concerns over water availability and flooding.
• Arunachal Pradesh and Stapled Visa: 
• • China is issuing stapled visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh members, which is affecting India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Belt and Road Initiative:
  • India opposes China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Indian territory claimed by Pakistan.
• Indian Ocean Region: 
  • China’s increasing presence in countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, raises concerns for India in the region.
• Doklam and Galwan Valley Standoff: 
  • Both incidents have led to tensions in the relations.
• Opacity and defensiveness: 
  • It has marked the government’s responses since tensions began in April 2020 to any questions about the border or its broader approach to China, which appears increasingly rife with contradictions. 
• Banning of Apps: 
  • The government has banned more than 200 Chinese apps, including TikTok. 
• Rounds of Talks, but no clarity: 
  • Meanwhile, after 18 rounds of talks, there remains little clarity on the LAC situation and the continuing ingress by China in Demchok and Depsang, the last two remaining friction points.

Way Forward:

• Diplomatic Engagement: It is crucial to maintain open channels of communication to avoid any further escalation of tensions.
• Ready to Talk, Be Prepared for Conflict: With China, India can try for every level of communication, while on the other hand, there is a need to be well prepared with our defense forces if conflict arises.
• Adequate Funding for Defence: For better updation and advancement, funding should be increased.
• Adequate Infrastructure Development: Development of infrastructure along the border, such as roads and bridges, can help both countries access remote areas and reduce the possibility of any misunderstandings or conflicts.
• Informed Public: As both sides continue to find a way to stabilize ties and restore peace, the public should be kept informed.

News Source: The Hindu

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