Modi and Xi in Mamallapuram: A New Agenda?

Submission Statement

It is always important to have a historical background of any diplomatic relation and in this Submission Statement, I shall try to briefly write about the same in order to understand the geopolitics behind the decisions and confrontations.

History of Indo-Sino Relations

The contemporary relation can be dated back to 1950 (the accepted year is 1947, but the formation of the Secular Democratic Republic was achieved in 1950 ), after India achieved true independence from the Raj and while a net cordial relationship thrives, economic wars and border skirmishes have blemished the relations, though not beyond repair.
The then Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawarharlal Nehru was infamous for his failed venture in effecting a positive relationship with China with the Panchsheel (April 1954), or The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which outlined the mutual acknowledgment of the integrity of each other and non-interference in internal matters. More can be read here https://idsa.in/idsacomments/panchsheel-was-noble-but-did-china-embrace-it-ever_rkumar_180817

The failure on China’s end to keep up with the agreement steadily led up to the border and proxy war in the 1960s. Lasting a month, the border dispute resulted in India’s defeat (October 1962). China occupied the North-Western region of Jammu-Kashmir (Aksai Chin) and the Demchok regions of Ladakh. The relationship deteriorated throughout the 1960s when China engaged in propaganda and financial campaigns, influencing many dissident groups while India was accused of supporting the Khampa rebels in Tibet. 1965 was the year of complete diplomatic breakdown, when India launched an assault on the western front of Pakistan after Pakistan’s attempt of smuggling terrorists and militants into Jammu and Kashmir in Operation Gibraltar. China backed Pakistan both diplomatically and in terms of arms, trying to force India to ceasefire while demanding serving an ultimatum to abandon the Sino-Indian border as a vantage point. Eventually, a ceasefire was declared with the Tashkent Declaration mediated the UN, US and Russia. Read more https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2018/09/27/chinas-role-in-1965-indo-pak-war/ This is by no means the end of the skirmishes, with two more occurring in 1967, dubbed the Nathu La incident and the Chola incident.

During the fight for Bangladesh’s independence between India and China in 1971, China once again sided with Pakistan condemning India for “acting like a tool of expansion for the USSR”, in light of the “Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Co-operation” that India had signed with the Soviets.

It was after the defeat of the Indian National Congress in 1977 did the Indo-Sino relationship witness a positive growth in its status. In 1978, the Foreign Minister of India made a landmark visit to Beijing and the two countries officially started diplomatic relations in 1979. China amended it’s pro-Pakistan stance on Jammu and Kashmir and remained silent on India’s absorption of Sikkim. Pilgrimages to visit the religious sites were opened at Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake.

The relationship had its ups and downs up until the Doklam standoff in 2017 which was a heated encounter till both the parties involved agreed to backdown. The aftermath of the Doklam can be read here. Here is the archived link for those who cannot read this article.

Back to the Contemporary Indo-Sino relationship

The informal meet occurred in the picturesque of Mamallapuram,Tamil Nadu following the previous summit held in Wuhan, China, in 2018. The purpose of the summit, according to China was “to have a free exchange of views without fixed topics. They will talk about major issues, they will have free atmosphere with each other which is a very good format for discussion.”

Bilateral issues were discussed and the trade deficit was pondered upon, as the India’s deficit with China amounts to one-third of India’s overall deficit, mainly due to China’s non-tariff barriers on medical products and IT services.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was a part of the discussion, where the differences between India and China have slowed down overall negotiations that affect Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other South-East Asian nations. Among other crucial discussions was the topic of Kashmir and the Line of Actual Control, where no statements of radical nature were issued. Both factions stood their ground but mutually agreed on a path of peace and tranquility.

Due to unresolved border disputes and the huge power imbalance between two countries, India continues to suffer on economic, diplomatic, and strategic fronts. Despite the Wuhan summit, China had no problem with taking actions that displeased India — whether the question of blocking India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group or opposing India’s Kashmir move in the UNSC. Therefore, it is China’s responsibility now to demonstrate seriousness in mending fences with India through the “Mamallapuram spirit.” (s)

In addition to the Modern Indo-Sino geopolitics, I highly recommend a reading of the Ancient relations and dialogue between the two nations, which was rich in the exchange of not simply tangible goods, but also culture, knowledge and philosophy of the highest order with intellectuals, travelers and envoys from several monarchs from both sides.

It is also interesting to note the reason why India chose Mamallapuram for the summit due to its flourishing ties with Ancient China during the reign of Pallavas https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamallapuram-ancient-ties-china-fillip-pm-modi-xi-jinping-summit-1606780-2019-10-07

/r/geopolitics Thread Link - thediplomat.com