New Delhi: As diplomatic efforts continue in New Delhi to mend the strained India-China relationship, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized that while challenges will persist, there are mechanisms in place to address them peacefully. This comes after nearly five years of tension following a military standoff in 2020 along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The relationship, which hit a nadir after China’s unilateral actions at the border, is slowly showing signs of recovery from October 2024 onwards.
India’s Foreign Minister noted that despite competing interests, there should be no need for conflict. “We know that, between India and China, at least in the foreseeable future, there will be issues, but there are ways of addressing those issues,” Jaishankar stated during a conversation with the Asia Society. The need to rebuild trust was underscored by the minister, highlighting that the violent clash in 2020 was “very traumatic” for bilateral relations. China’s actions not only led to bloodshed but also a sharp departure from previously agreed-upon terms, significantly damaging the relationship.
Jaishankar highlighted that the period since 2020 has not been beneficial for either nation, particularly as diplomatic and people-to-people ties suffered. However, following extensive talks, India and China agreed to restore the status quo ante 2020. This breakthrough facilitated a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia. The two countries share a vast border, approximately 4,400 km long, known as the Line of Actual Control and the MacMohan Line.
Efforts are underway to revitalize cross-border cooperation, including resuming people-to-people exchanges, direct flights, and celebrations for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) has facilitated positive discussions towards improving ties. As both nations strive to move forward, they acknowledge that mutual interests are crucial for maintaining peace and stability along their shared borders.
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