Modi-Xi start afresh, but old issues remain
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hit the nail on the head in saying that trade, cultural and strategic relations with China will truly prosper when there is peace on the border and when both countries respect each other’s concerns and sensitivities. India on its part has been doing the needful but China, unfortunately, has all too often not reciprocated, intruding into Indian land on the pretext that there is ambiguity about the borders. Even as Chinese President Xi Jinping went about his official business during his visit to India beginning September 18, his troops had intruded at Chumar and Demchok in ladakh. Beijing has explained away such intrusions, past and present, on the ground that there is difference in perception between India and China on the demarcation of borders in segments of the line of Actual Control. While this much is admitted, it does not help relations if Chinese troops continue to provoke New Delhi. A solution to the dispute can come about not by sabre-ratting by uniformed and armed personnel along the lAC, but through political and diplomatic measures. Here lies the key to a breakthrough in relations between the two countries. like Mr Modi, the Chinese President too knows there is no alternative to meaningful talks. Unfortunately, Beijing has repeatedly stone-walled India’s requests for an early resolution of the issue. It has been taking its own time to even exchange the relevant maps. Every time it seemed that the talks between the Special Representatives of the two countries were heading in the right direction, the Chinese Army would venture into Indian territory and vitiate the environment. One can only hope that China moves forward in the wake of Mr Xi’s observation in New Delhi at the end of talks with Mr Modi on September 19, that the two countries have to find an early resolution to the border dispute. But then, the statement is not very different from that we have heard in the past ad nauseam from various Chinese Presidents and Premiers. This time, however, we have two strong leaders who have the mandate to resolve the crisis — and there is no better time than this to do it. The solution will not come overnight, despite the bonhomie that seemed apparent between Mr Modi and Mr Xi, in Delhi and earlier along the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad. But, neither country has infinite time to decide the matter.
Meanwhile, the two nations have taken important steps to enhance bilateral relations, and Mr Xi’s visit has played an important role in that direction. The decision to move forward in civil nuclear energy cooperation is welcome, given that India has been moving in the fast lane, signing a deal recently with Australia and working towards a similar arrangement with Japan as well. Not surprisingly, a number of business agreements have been signed. But the bilateral trade deficit against India should be New Delhi’s priority. While Mr Modi has forcefully sought greater access to the Chinese market, it remains to be seen what Beijing does to address the grievance. In the end, whether on the border demarcation issue or trade imbalance, it’s not the atmospherics but hard action on the ground that will matter. Meanwhile, both New Delhi and Beijing can, in a sense, consider Mr Xi’s visit to India successful.