India-China relations: In a major step towards reinvigorating ties between India and China, both countries have discussed resumption of direct flights and resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. China’s Foreign Ministry has given a positive signal by calling it a ‘new beginning’. This important meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi took place during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The meeting took place after successfully dealing with the tense situation in Depsang and Demchok sectors of Ladakh. The withdrawal of troops from these disputed areas has contributed to maintaining peace and stability between the two countries.
Flights and travels are still closed since Corona
Due to the Corona epidemic, direct flights between India and China were stopped in 2020, which have not started yet. This year Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was also stopped. Mount Kailash located in China is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva and holds great religious and cultural significance for Indian devotees. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both these issues were discussed in the meeting along with sharing of data on trans-border rivers and exchange of media persons.
High level talks after Ladakh conflict
It is noteworthy that the India-China conflict in Ladakh started in May 2020, the next month in which 20 Indian soldiers were martyred in the clash in Galwan Valley. There were casualties on the Chinese side as well, but their figures are not clear. Since then, tension continues between the two countries and talks have been taking place at the military level. A new beginning has been made towards improvement in relations after the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit held in Russia recently.
Emphasis on new beginning
After the recent meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that China-India relations are now at a new beginning. This is in the basic interest of the people of both the countries. Also, it meets the expectations of the countries of the Global South. Foreign Minister Wang Yi also said that the two countries should fulfill the important consensus of their leaders, promote mutual trust and work with honesty and trust to resolve differences.
According to reports coming from Beijing, Wang said in his meeting with Jaishankar that India and China should implement the important consensus reached in the summit between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Russia. Both sides should implement the important consensus reached by the two leaders, respect each other’s interests and enhance mutual trust through dialogue and communication, resolve differences honestly and sincerely and deepen bilateral relations. Should be brought back on the path of progress as soon as possible.
India’s independent foreign policy
Foreign Minister Jaishankar said that India is committed to the multipolar world and Asia. Our foreign policy is principled and independent. We are against the unilateral approach of establishing dominance. Both ministers agreed that the focus should be on stabilizing relations, managing differences and taking further steps. This meeting is being considered an important initiative towards providing stability and new direction in India-China relations.
