Unfreezing bilateral ties between India and China-Read

The Doval-Yi engagement marks a major step towards revival of diplomatic mechanisms

Repairing the strained ties with China is a daunting task. Ever since the military standoff in Eastern Ladakh in 2020, there has been a trust deficit in the bilateral relationship. However, there are welcome signs of thaw emerging now. The outcome of the recent meeting between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who are also the Special Representatives, in Beijing, is quite encouraging. This was the first meeting of the Special Representatives after a gap of five years. The two countries reached a six-point consensus, including a commitment to take measures to maintain peace and tranquillity at borders and promote healthy and stable development of relations. The meeting provided positive directions for cross-border cooperation and exchanges, including resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers and border trade. The two sides positively affirmed the implementation of the latest disengagement agreement of October 2024, resulting in patrolling in relevant areas. The meeting of the Special Representatives took place less than two months after a border patrolling arrangement was announced on October 21 which was followed by a meeting two days later between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Russia’s Kazan. While the Doval-Yi engagement is certainly a positive development, after years of chill in the bilateral ties, expectations of a rapid expansion of political and economic cooperation, however, must be tempered. Much military work remains to be done on the border.

On its part, India is keen to see the complete disengagement of troops from close positions followed by a military de-escalation. Over the last four years, both sides have deployed a large number of troops on the frontier and have constructed a wide range of facilities to support them. India would like to see the withdrawal of the troops to their traditional peacetime locations and dismantling of the infrastructure. China, on other hand, is keen to resume bilateral commercial cooperation and would like Delhi to lift the restrictions it imposed on economic engagement in 2020. Beijing’s focus on restoring full commercial ties has found resonance in the Indian business community which is pressing the government to open up to China. Currently, India’s focus is on military de-escalation on the border and negotiating small steps such as restoration of direct flights, easier granting of visas and consultations on the changing geopolitical environment. The two sides are now set to resume talks at the level of foreign secretaries, signalling the resumption of a broader political dialogue. The resumption of the Special Representatives process marks a major step towards the revival of diplomatic mechanisms that have been paused for the past few years. Concerted efforts must be made to address the mistrust and animosity that has largely characterised India-China ties over the last few years, despite the deepening economic relations.