India and China seek to reset ties but with caution

After many years of border tensions, India and China appear to be gradually moving towards reset – but there are big problems and suspicions.

The visit of two high -ranking Indian officials to China at the end of last month was considered as a sign of thawing in bilateral relations.

In June, the Indian National Security Advisor Doval and Defense Minister Rinat Singh also made some visits at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Shaus is a 10-member Eurasian security group, which also includes China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan. Singh’s visit was the first high -ranking Indian official in China in five years.

At the basis of Indian-Chinese tension This is poorly defined, 3,440 km (2100 miles) that are disputed. Rivers, lakes and snow hats along the border mean that the line often changes, bringing soldiers to face in many points, sometimes causing contractions.

The crisis grew into June 2020 When the two forces have encountered Galvan’s Valley in Lada in the first deadly confrontation between them since 1975. At least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed. Deliveries between militants have since taken place in several places.

But geopolitical uncertainty and ground realities have pushed both sides to find common ground in several questions.

At the end of last year, they reached an agreement on the main points of friction.

In January, Delhi and Beijing agreed to restore direct flights and relax the visas that were imposed after the 2020 collision.

In the same month Indian pilgrims were allowed Visit the sacred mountain, Kaylash and the Holy Lake in Tibet’s autonomous region after a six -year break.

But experts point out that there are other obstacles.

In India, China is the second largest trading partner with bilateral trade, which reached more than $ 127 billion last year (93.4 billion pounds). It largely relies on Chinese imports, especially minerals of rare land.

Thus, peace in border areas is important for enhancing economic ties.

From the increasing attention of Taiwan, Beijing also wants peace at his Himalayan border with India – yet.

But at the strategic level, China suspects Western countries use India to resist its growth and enhancement.

Thus, in addition to resolving the border dispute, Beijing would also want to improve in other areas, as he hopes to resist Delhi’s increasing dependence on his safety.

This includes more Chinese exports; Increasing investment in India and removing visa restrictions for Chinese engineers and workers. (India has banned dozens of Chinese applications and imposed restrictions on Chinese investments in the consequences of the 2020 collision citing security issues).

Specialists who are changing in geopolitics – especially in the United States, since President Trump has taken over for a second term – Delhi also contacted China.

“India found it a very close strategic ally (from the US), but they did not receive the support they expected from Washington,” says Professor Christopher Claire of Albani University in New York.

During Last border tension In May in Pakistan Ark-Rivan in May, Delhi also witnessed a growing military cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad. Pakistan used Chinese fighters, air defense systems and air-air missiles in a four-day conflict.

Following the Trump’s conflict repeatedly state that he was mediocre between the two sides for ceasefire.

This is an embarrassed Delhi who insist The fact that he was directly talking to Pakistani officials to stop fighting and brutally denied any other mediation.

A few weeks later, Trump also accepted the head of the Pakistani Army Munira for lunch at the White House, to the great disappointment of Delhi.

At the same time, the United States and India are also involved in crazy negotiations to reach a trade agreement. Trump has already threatened to impose mutual tariffs in a number of countries, including India, unless a deal was reached by August 1.

“Given President Trump’s statements about mediation between India and Pakistan and trade negotiations, Delhi feels like it is time to turn to countries such as China,” Claire says.

Strategic experts claim that Washington views Delhi as a bubble against increasingly persistent China. But given the unpredictability of the US president, Delhi has doubts how far the US will go to support India in any future conflict with China.

Four -sided security dialog – known as quad – With the participation of the United States, Japan, Australia and India, the second term of Trump administration.

“In recent years, China has also significantly increased its influence on other multilateral organizations, such as the SCO and BRICS Group,” says FNNCT Stobdan, a former senior Indian diplomat.

So India accepts a pragmatic approach, he says.

“At the same time, he does not want him not to see Chinese requirements for internal reasons,” he adds.

And this is not only the United States – India also watches closely as its long -standing ally and the main arms supplier of Russia leaned against Beijing from the war with Ukraine.

Western sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine increased Moscow’s dependence on China to energy export.

Moscow also depends on Beijing for critical imports and investments, all of which made Delhi alert to the Kremlin’s position in any future confrontation with China.

China also uses its industrial power to squeeze many countries that depend on its imports – and countries such as India believe that restrictions can affect their economic growth.

“China has recently been using trading as weapons against India, suspending important exports, such as rare -land magnets and fertilizers. These actions can affect the industrial and agricultural sector,” says Mr. Stobdan.

Magnets of rare land are especially important for car, home appliances and pure energy sectors. China has imposed restrictions on its imports since April, requiring companies to receive permits.

The Indian Automobile Association has prevent This production can strongly affect if the restrictions will not decrease soon. Following these fears, the Indian government said he was negotiating with Beijing.

Although China is committed to promoting business, it has not shown any signs of compromise on other territorial disputes with India.

In recent years he has increasingly claimed his claim Throughout the northeastern Indian state, Arunachal-Pradesh, which Beijing calls South Tibet.

Delhi claims that the Arunoche -Pradesh is an integral part of the country and notes that the state’s people regularly vote in the elections to select their state government, and there is no place for any compromise.

“If China and India do not give up the concept of sovereignty, they will continue to fight forever. If they can reach the transaction in the South Tibet (or the Arunch -Pradesh), then there will be eternal peace in both countries,” Prof.

As long as Delhi and Beijing know that their territorial dispute cannot be resolved soon.

They seem to be ready to interact and want to avoid tensions rather than rely on any global power unit for support.

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