On-Off Relationship Between India and China

India and China, two of the world's most important nations, have always had strained relations. This is a review of the last few years in the history of bilateral relations.

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India-China relations are a very complex issue, which is now universally accepted. Not only that, but over the past decade, the relationship has deteriorated so much that it has taken a lot of time and energy to restore it. Whether it is the incidents of stapled visas (attaching separate visas) to the passports of people in some parts of India, the military tensions in areas like Daulat Beg Oldi, Chumar, Demchok on the border or the heightened conflict in Doklama, all these incidents will further strain relations between the two neighbors. Was created. This led to the cancellation or postponement of many meetings, discussions, tours scheduled between the two. Often had to start from scratch again. The same game went on and on like a vicious cycle. Now the biggest question before us is how to get out of this cycle of ups and downs.

India-China relations have many facets. Both countries have a rich heritage of ancient cultures and the relationship between the two cultures has been going on since ancient times. It should be noted that in the post-colonial period, different Asian values ​​and cultures began to take shape. And in recent times, a new word has been heard about this relationship करार the Wuhan Agreement. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we get an idea of ​​what the 'Wuhan Agreement' means.

"If India-China relations are peaceful, stable and balanced, it can be a positive solution to the current instability in the world," he said. If the bilateral relations are handled properly, it will contribute to the development and prosperity of the entire region, and will create a fertile ground for the coming century to be known as the century of the Asian continent in the true sense of the word. In doing so, the two leaders also agreed to co-operate in development programs that will benefit and sustain the two nations, with the aim of national modernization and bringing prosperity to the people of both countries.

One thing is clear even if you look at this sheet. The Wuhan Accords are just the beginning of a resumption of hostilities between the two countries after the Doklam crisis. In fact, if the strategic relationship between the two countries had been smooth, the Wuhan Accord would not have been needed, but the fact was that the relationship was not smooth and that is why tensions arose at Doklama and the subsequent Ramayana.

After an informal visit to Wuhan in April 2018, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping have met three times in 2018 alone. The three visits took place in Qingdao, Johannesburg and Sao Paulo. In all three visits, the Wuhan Accords were re-drawn. Of course, the agreement being reached in this agreement comes after the damage caused by the Doklama crisis, and very serious.

Every meeting, every visit, every discussion that took place after Wuhan was based on the points of agreement in the Wuhan Agreement. In addition to the four meetings between the top leaders of the two countries, National Security Minister Le. General Wei Fanghe, Public Security Minister Shao Kenzi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, three important and weighty ministers from China visited India. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited China on the sidelines of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization. An annual discussion on defense was held every year. She started this again. Recently, some programs have been undertaken to enable ordinary citizens of both the countries to meet and exchange with each other. The third session of the India-China Think Tank Forum was recently held in Delhi. The India-China High Level Media Forum was also held in Delhi on December 21. New discussions are also taking shape in the areas of museum management, exchange of technical information, investment, etc.

The list goes on and on, but there are some really important ones. Areas where dialogue is already underway will only get stronger, but more importantly, new areas of communication are likely to open up. However, it remains to be seen whether any work will be done on the issues that are really important in this process. According to scholars of Indo-China relations, some significant progress was made in 1993 and 2005 alone. (At least that's what Delhi scholars think).

On September 7, 1993, an agreement was reached between the two countries to maintain peace on the Line of Control. This agreement was important because all subsequent efforts to build mutual trust between the two sides were based on this agreement. Relations between the two countries stood on the same footing as the two countries felt threatened by each other. The 2003 agreement changed that suspicion. The feeling that we will get more opportunities due to the prosperity of others began to take root. At the same time, it was acknowledged that there was always a strategic dilemma between the two countries.

Under Hu Jintao, China's views on its own strength and the security situation in the region were different. And so the framework of the above agreements came in handy. But even if we just take a look at the events of the past, some important issues come to the fore immediately. Most of the time, China has objected to India's position or legitimate demands. Moreover, all of the above-mentioned dilemmas date back to the reign of Xi Jinping. China has a strong desire to become a superpower and is running in that direction. But he is also constantly worried about being surrounded. China wants others to treat it the way it treats itself, and it is expected to treat others the same way.

The Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious project undertaken by China, is in fact a strategic ploy, and there is clear evidence of it. And so the threat India feels to this project is justified. It was not possible for this project to be the only panacea for all problems, or for the Yangtze and Ganga rivers to be connected (and extended to the Nile) to cool the hot air. India's insistence that if a project is to be set up to facilitate communication, the sentiments of all the participating countries should be taken into account, as well as inclusiveness and transparency.

As a result, India and China seem to be moving in a single circle. A dilemma arises, then the atmosphere cools down again, then negotiations begin and the relationship gains momentum… and then the next dilemma arises. In fact, none of the seemingly insignificant developments have been able to eradicate the mistrust that India and China have towards each other.

Neither the interconnected history nor the dreams of moving forward together have helped bring the two countries closer together. Common sense alone does not seem to be enough to keep these two modern nations, which share a legacy of ancient cultures, out of power.

So, now a new framework is needed. A framework in which the sovereignty of both India and China will not be shaken in the slightest. Be honest and unbiased. What will be useful and what will not be useful in terms of improving the relationship will be spoken in clear and direct words. It would also be beneficial to create new processes for communicating with each other.

Revival of border meetings / discussions / dialogues etc. will also be useful. India is also developing rapidly and it is only natural that it will consider its own benefits. Both countries are becoming more and more active on the global stage and it is inevitable that they will continue to meet on different platforms.

In some cases the two have to cooperate where their goals are the same, where they do not have to compete with each other. You have to keep a constant eye on each other's lax lines, you have to be careful not to cross them. From all this, it is to be hoped that the relationship will succeed in breaking through the cycle of constant ups and downs

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