Acknowledging the need to maintain “peace and tranquility” along their border, India and China agreed on Monday to “push forward” negotiations on the boundary question and “seek a framework for a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable” settlement.
The decision to seek an early resolution of the border dispute assumes significance in the backdrop of the recent incursion by Chinese troops in Ladakh lasting three weeks and leading to a military standoff. Importantly, the joint statement issued at the conclusion of delegation-level talks on Monday did not mention India’s affirmation of a “one China” policy that states Tibet and Taiwan are a part of China. Beijing had been keen on its inclusion in the joint statement, but New Delhi was “evasive” on the issue and ensured it was not included. Earlier, India had managed to avoid its mention in 2010 during the visit of then Premier Wen Jiabao too.
Yet another prickly issue between Beijing and New Delhi, the Dalai Lama’s continuing presence in India, was also raised by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during Monday’s discussions though “not at any great length”. India, however, stuck to its oft-repeated stand — that the Dalai Lama is a respected spiritual leader and does not carry out any political activities on Indian soil.
After Monday’s talks, the two sides also signed eight agreements, besides discussing trade and economic issues at length and agreeing to take steps to “address the issue of trade imbalance”. The two nations hope to reach a turnover target of $100 billion by 2015.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his remarks after the discussions, said the two sides “took stock of lessons learnt from the recent incident”, while also noting that the “existing mechanisms (to resolve disputes) proved their worth”. He further said the special representatives of both countries will now “consider further measures
that may be needed to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border”.
There was no discussion Monday on the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement that has been proposed by the Chinese side, and to which New Delhi has adopted a cautious and calibrated approach. Having given a counter-proposal to Beijing, it now says they have to respond before any further discussion on this matter, while also seeking an exchange of maps first.
India’s ambassador to China S. Jaishankar told reporters later on Monday that the Chinese incursion was an “unusual incident”, and added: “We need to look into how this happened, and what are the lessons to be learnt.”
On yet another contentious matter, the building of dams by China on trans-border rivers like the Brahmaputra, which has raised Indian concerns, Mr Jaishankar said Beijing’s response was “sympathetic” and they had given assurances that “they will not do something which would damage India’s interests”.
Terming Mr Li’s visit, his first trip overseas after taking over, as “significant, substantive and a productive” one, Mr Jaishankar said: “There were wide-ranging talks, candid and frank... All matters were discussed. And it took place at a time when actually the relationship is expanding in many ways, cooperation is growing.”
The joint statement said the two sides will “further strengthen cooperation on trans-border rivers”. But it were the PM’s remarks that India wants the mandate of the expert-level mechanism to be expanded to include information-sharing on upstream development projects that really indicates India’s concerns about the proposed projects.
Significantly, in the joint statement also seemed to put behind them the recent tensions following the incursion. Tellingly, it not only took note of “mutual sensitivities for each others’ concerns and aspirations” but said both countries “view each other as partners for mutual benefit, and not as rivals and competitors”.
On a day that saw “personal chemistry” between the PM and the Chinese Premier, the latter admitted there were “some problems” between the two countries. On the boundary question, he said: “Both sides believe that with regard to the boundary question, one that is left over by history, the two sides have over time established the principles on this question.”
The Chinese leader added that “we need to improve the various border-related mechanisms that we have put in place, and make them more efficient and appropriately manage and resolve our differences”.
As for why the Chinese Premier chose India as his first stop overseas after taking over, there are indications that Beijing is anxious about US President Barack Obama’s “pivot to Asia” strategy. The declaration by then US defence secretary Leon Panetta that India was “a linchpin” in this strategy has raised Beijing’s concerns, hence its desire to reach out to India first.
With both sides appearing to put the recent boundary tensions behind them, the boundary talks between the special representatives are likely in late June, for which national security adviser Shivshankar Menon will travel to Beijing.
Further, in an indication that the recent military standoff was merely a blip on the radar, the two sides also agreed that “enhanced interaction in the military field was
conducive to building mutual trust and confidence” and agreed to increase exchanges between their armed forces.
Defence minister A.K. Antony will travel to China soon, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has accepted an invitation from the Chinese Premier to visit that country. The visit is expected to take place later this year.