Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has tried to draw the red line on border incursions with China. He made it clear to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang that the boundary was the foundation of the Sino-Indian relationship. Li is on a visit to Delhi. There are existing mechanisms to deal with any misunderstanding over incursions. But the recent crisis in Ladakh took a long time to resolve. Both PMs agreed that the two special representatives on the boundary question should ascertain if these mechanisms needed improvement. There is also the issue of trans-border rivers. Both sides agreed on an expanded exchange of information on river data. But advance information on the construction of dams was not given out. Li reiterated China’s preoccupation with the concerns of riparian countries.
All was not sweetness and light, however. China demanded an endorsement of its position on the South China Sea in the context of security in the Asia-Pacific region. India rejected the demand saying it was international waters. India and China disagreed also on Tibet’s status. No reference was made to the new border defence cooperation agreement proposed by China. On the other hand, both countries will back an Afghan-led peace process. Progress on an FTA between the two countries was also discussed. Both Singh and Lee agreed to consider the growing trade deficit between India and China. China has agreed to set up an investment park in India. At the same time, the global economic crisis came under discussion. So there was some progress but some serious impediments remain. President XI Jinping had already stressed the need for a rational solution of the border dispute. That is fine. But India should not try to sweep the hurdles under the carpet during formal discussions.