The decision to convene a meeting of Special Representatives on the boundary issue between India and China after a five-year hiatus marks a cautiously optimistic step in managing one of the most contentious bilateral relationships in the region. Coming on the heels of recent troop disengagements in eastern Ladakh, this development signals a mutual recognition of the need for dialogue to stabilise ties, even as deep-seated mistrust lingers. The engagement on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro encapsulates the delicate balancing act required to manage this complex relationship. While both sides have acknowledged the necessity of dialogue and cooperation, the task ahead is daunting. As historical and strategic factors continue to weigh heavily, any progress will require persistent effort and pragmatic diplomacy.
The last SR talks were held in December 2019, and much has changed since then. The violent clashes in the Galwan Valley in 2020 and subsequent standoffs, including in areas like Pangong Lake, Depsang, and Demchok, disrupted what was already a tenuous peace along the LAC. These events underscored the fragility of the existing mechanisms to manage border tensions and the urgent need for a reset in the bilateral approach. The recent disengagements in Demchok and Depsang, coupled with the decision to resume SR talks, represent tangible progress. These moves, while modest, are necessary precursors to a broader de-escalation and normalisation process. The Special Representatives, tasked with addressing the boundary question, have a critical role in bridging gaps that are as much about historical disputes as they are about competing strategic imperatives.
While disengagement in specific sectors is a positive step, the continued deployment of substantial troops by both nations along the LAC reflects the reality of persistent mistrust. The focus on de-escalation-reducing troop numbers and restoring a semblance of normalcy-will demand confidence-building measures that go beyond the military domain. India has clarified that normalising ties with China is contingent upon peace and tranquillity in border areas. This principled stance reflects a broader strategic calculus. Moreover, China’s ambitions and unilateral actions in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as its growing ties with India’s neighbours, exacerbate India’s strategic concerns.
The revival of people-to-people exchanges, such as the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights, is a low-hanging fruit that can yield immediate dividends in fostering goodwill. Similarly, resuming data sharing on trans-border rivers and media exchanges could create an environment conducive to dialogue. At the diplomatic level, the commitment to multipolarity offers a potential area of convergence. India and China have collaborated constructively in multilateral forums such as the BRICS and the SCO. Leveraging these platforms to foster dialogue and coordination on global issues could help temper bilateral tensions.
The evolving global landscape also influences India-China relations. Both nations, as rising powers in Asia, have stakes in shaping regional and global politics. However, their competing visions for Asia’s future, coupled with China’s increasingly assertive foreign policy, complicate this dynamic. India’s insistence on independent foreign policy principles reminds of its commitment to strategic autonomy. By not viewing its relationships through the lens of other nations, India underscores its aspiration to balance engagement with various global powers without being subsumed into any singular bloc. China, on the other hand, must recognise that its actions in the border regions and beyond directly impact its credibility and relationships. If Beijing seeks to maintain its influence in Asia and the world, it must respect the principles of mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity.
The decision to revive various dialogue mechanisms, including the SR talks and bilateral engagements, signals an acknowledgement that confrontation is unsustainable. However, both sides must approach this process with a willingness to compromise and a commitment to resolving differences through peaceful means. Both nations must seize this opportunity to lay the groundwork for a more stable and predictable relationship-one that contributes not only to bilateral peace but also to regional and global stability.
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