Delhi, Beijing bid to move ties to pre-2020 normal: China officials

• Underlining that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have a “chemistry” evident during their meeting in Kazan last month.

Xi-Modi Chemistry: A Positive Shift

Kazan Meeting Impact:

• Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a warm and candid dialogue during their October meeting in Kazan, Russia.
• Their first meeting in five years, marked by personal engagement rather than adherence to pre-written talking points, underscored their rapport.

Strategic Outlook:

• Leaders stressed elevating bilateral ties beyond the border standoff, aiming for strategic cooperation.
• Discussions between Special Representatives (SRs), Foreign Ministers, and other officials are underway to determine the next steps.
• Proposed Confidence-Building Measures

Key Initiatives:

• Restoration of direct flights between the two nations.
• Easing visa restrictions for Chinese nationals, including diplomats and scholars.
• Removal of bans on Chinese mobile apps.
• Facilitation of Indian movies in Chinese theatres and media access for Chinese journalists in India.

High-Level Engagements Expected:

• China hopes for PM Modi’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in 2025, which it will chair.

Border Resolution Efforts

Progress on LAC:

• Following disengagement in specific areas, both sides have resumed patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• The three-step process of disengagement, de-escalation, and de-induction is ongoing.

Challenges in Focus:

• Despite 20 rounds of talks at various levels, border issues persist as a key challenge.
• Chinese officials stress the need to resolve these at a faster pace but without letting them dominate the broader bilateral agenda.
• Shared Global Challenges and Cooperation

Mutual Priorities:

• Both countries identified climate change, artificial intelligence, and green energy transitions as areas for collaboration.
• External forces, including shifts in US policy, highlight the need for greater India-China cooperation.

China’s Perspective on the Way Forward

Strengthening Dialogue:

• Increased engagement at all levels is necessary to rebuild trust and reduce misunderstandings.
• Regular discussions can mitigate tensions caused by the COVID-19 hiatus and border disputes.

Call fo Indian Initiative:

• China has expressed readiness to resume talks and has left the next move to India.
• Collaboration on global platforms like the G20 and SCO is seen as pivotal to advancing relations.

Prelims Takeaways

• Line of Actual Control (LAC).