A surprising rapprochement is in the making as India and China contemplate burying the hatchet. The high-level talks between the two countries, after years of diplomatic brawls and border skirmishes, simply underscore the changing regional realities, and the desire to cooperate in an era of interdependence and multilateralism. Delhi’s inching towards Beijing will have long-term impact on realpolitik, and speaks of the beginning of a new era for South Asia if the economic giants succeed in overcoming their territorial woes. It remains to be seen if this spirit on the part of India snowballs into its ties with Pakistan or not, and what role China can play as a catalyst in defrosting the long-persisting animosity.
The three-day visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India is the first high-level interaction since their aggressive melee over the Galwan Valley in 2020. The epoch-making understanding to view each other as “partners and not adversaries” will necessitate walk the talk, and Wang’s huddle with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to set the stage for the latter’s summit with President Xi Jinping later this month. With Delhi being pushed to the wall by Washington as disproportionate tariffs are slapped, this diplomatic proactivity with Beijing and, likewise, Moscow is a smart move on the part of India. Thus, the desire to resume border trade and direct flights and ease visa regime are baby steps as they go on to rewrite their new relationship.
India’s strategic alignment with the US and its being part of QUAD, nonetheless, will surely have an impact on its new-found love with China. This is where a shift, or otherwise, in its foreign policy is to be determined. Wang’s air-dashing to Islamabad this week, however, to attend the sixth Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue will be an opportunity to exchange notes as to what transpired between Beijing and Delhi. India must keep in mind that unless it rescinds the IWT suspension and enters into a dialogue with Pakistan, its honeymoon with China will be on the rocks. The region is in need of a composite peace regime, and the buck stops at India to nod in positivity.
