India-China Relations Set for a Reset: Modi and Xi to Meet at BRICS Summit
In a major development, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet during the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. This is their first formal bilateral meeting since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, where tensions between the two countries escalated due to a deadly border conflict. The meeting marks a significant turning point, following recent breakthroughs in the patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This breakthrough is seen as a potential move toward stabilizing the strained relationship between India and China.
A Step Toward Normalizing Tensions
The 2020 clash in the Galwan Valley, which resulted in casualties on both sides, caused a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations, and both nations increased their military presence along the disputed border. The lack of a clear patrolling arrangement and subsequent escalations led to a military standoff that lasted for years. Though diplomatic efforts were ongoing, significant progress in reducing tensions was hard to achieve—until now.
In recent months, both countries have agreed on new patrolling arrangements that could restore the status quo prior to the Galwan incident. This could serve as a confidence-building measure between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, who have been cautious about escalating the situation further but have remained at odds diplomatically and militarily.
Historical Context of Strained Relations
India and China share a long and contentious border, with disputes rooted in historical territorial claims that have occasionally flared up into military confrontations, the most notable being the 1962 Sino-Indian war. The 2020 Galwan clash was the deadliest confrontation in decades, leading to a rapid deterioration in diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.
While both sides maintained that they wished to resolve the issue peacefully, the military buildup at the border, coupled with nationalist sentiments, made diplomatic breakthroughs difficult. The situation also spilled over into economic domains, with India restricting Chinese investments and imposing extra security measures for Chinese technicians.
What to Expect from the Modi-Xi Meeting
This bilateral meeting is expected to cover not just the border situation, but broader areas of economic cooperation and security concerns. The recent agreement on patrolling may serve as the foundation for further talks on de-escalating tensions along the LAC. Both countries understand the need to stabilize their relationship, especially as global power dynamics shift.
President Xi and Prime Minister Modi have met briefly in informal settings in the past, including at the G20 summit in Bali, but this BRICS meeting is seen as an opportunity to discuss more substantive issues. The meeting comes as both leaders seek to balance domestic pressures with the need to maintain regional stability, especially in light of China's growing assertiveness in the region and India's strategic partnerships with other global powers.
The Broader Geopolitical Impact
The outcome of this meeting could have far-reaching consequences beyond India-China relations. Both nations are key players in the BRICS coalition, and a stabilized relationship between them could enhance regional stability in Asia. Additionally, the global economic landscape, marked by U.S.-China tensions and India's emerging role as a global player, makes this bilateral dialogue critical for future international diplomacy.
The meeting may also influence other multilateral forums and discussions, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where both India and China play leading roles. A breakthrough here could signal to the world that despite ongoing tensions, the two nations can find common ground on critical issues.
Conclusion
As the world watches the BRICS summit unfold, the Modi-Xi bilateral meeting has the potential to reset India-China relations after years of tension. With recent agreements on border patrolling in place, this meeting could pave the way for a more stable and cooperative future between the two Asian giants. However, it remains to be seen whether these positive steps will lead to a lasting resolution of the underlying border disputes, or if further challenges lie ahead.
Reference From: www.ndtv.com