Dealing with the Dragon – Hindustan Times

The meeting of the Special Representatives on the India-China border issue signaled incremental progress in addressing the fallout from the four-year-long military standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and restoring bilateral relations to an even keel. The Special Representatives, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed cross-border cooperation, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and cross-border trade. The focus was on ensuring peace on the disputed border and learning from the events of 2020 when a bloody clash in the Galwan Valley took ties to their lowest ebb in six decades. Emphasis was also placed on a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework” to resolve the border issue. All this follows the previous progress in force disengagement and border management, and these measures must continue.

But the difference in language and emphasis in the two sides’ official statements after the meeting suggests that peacebuilding remains a work in progress. Although the special representatives met early on Wednesday, the readings came in late at night, pointing to a possible lack of agreement on a joint statement. The Indian side made no reference at all to a “six-point consensus” that the Chinese side claimed was reached during the talks. The Chinese side again mentioned its desire to see the border issue separated from the overall relationship. The two sides must now address the difficult issues of de-escalation and restoration of the status quo, and decide on the need for new confidence-building measures since Chinese actions in 2020 called into question the viability of existing border management agreements and conventions.

Also, as this newspaper reported on Thursday, China is building infrastructure and villages in territory traditionally seen as part of Bhutan, and near the strategic Siliguri corridor. If proof were needed that China is not reducing its military presence along the LAC, it has come in the form of an annual report from the US Department of Defense, which says Beijing will maintain troop levels and build up infrastructure and facilities in the area opposite Ladakh. Most experts believe these activities are part of China’s plan to create a new reality on the ground by steadily chipping away at disputed territories. New Delhi needs to keep all these factors in mind and not lower its guard on border developments, including Bhutan’s relations with China while striving to make progress in its relations with Beijing.