Topics Covered: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
Jaishankar suggests way forward for China ties:
Context:
Calling 2020 as a year of “exceptional stress” in a relationship “profoundly disturbed” by the border crisis, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said a recognition of “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests” was key to repairing India-China relations.
Background:
Twenty Indian soldiers, and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers, lost their lives in a clash on June 15 last year in the Galwan Valley, following tensions that erupted in early May triggered by transgressions by China across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), massing of troops, and what India has described as a unilateral attempt to redraw the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in several areas in eastern Ladakh.
Actions by China which went against India’s interests:
- Issuing of stapled visas to Indian citizens from Jammu and Kashmir in 2010.
- A reluctance from China to deal with some of India’s military commands (Beijing had that same year refused to host the Northern Army Commander).
- China’s opposition to India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the UN Security Council as a permanent member.
- Blocking of UN listings of Pakistani terrorists.
- The China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, violating India’s sovereignty in J&K.
To solve the crisis, the External Affairs Minister suggested “three mutuals” and “eight broad propositions” as a way forward for the relationship. They are:
- Agreements already reached must be adhered to in their entirety, both in letter and spirit.
- Both sides also needed to strictly observe and respect the LAC, and any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo was completely unacceptable.
- Peace and tranquillity in border areas was the basis for the development of the relationship in other domains. If that was disturbed, the rest of the relationship would be too.
- While both remain committed to a multipolar world, they should recognise that a multipolar Asia was one of its essential constituents.
Conclusion:
While each state had its interests, concerns and priorities, sensitivities to them could not be be one-sided and relations were reciprocal in nature. As rising powers, neither should ignore the other’s set of aspirations.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- What is LoC and how is it established, geographical extent and significance?
- What is LAC?
- Where is Nathu la?
- Where is Pangong Tso?
- Who administers Akashi Chin?
- Where is Naku La?
- Who controls what in Pangong Tso lake region?
Mains Link:
Discuss the significance of Pangong Tso for India and China.
Sources: the Hindu.
