Beijing hosted the first round of the reconstituted and upgraded strategic dialogue between India and China. Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankar stated that his country’s commitment to maintain good bilateral relations remained unchanged. The freeze in the last 12 months has been caused by China blocking Delhi’s efforts to get Pakistani terrorist Masood Azhar banned and its obstruction to India’s bid to be a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. There can be no doubt that India -China collaboration is of utmost importance. But China has been acting unilaterally by restricting market access to Indian companies. It is necessary for both countries to join hands on issues of common concern. Terrorism originating in Pakistan is a threat to both countries. China should reconsider its long standing tilt towards Pakistan. Pakistan-based terrorism can aggravate the crisis in China’s Xinjiang province. It can also be a threat to the multi-billion dollar China- Pakistan Economy Corridor.
It is high time Beijing put pressure on Islamabad to tighten the screws on the terror groups in Pakistan. Banning Masood Azhar at the UN is an issue which must be settled in India’s interest. It is a good sign that Pakistan authorities have put LeT Chief Hafiz Saeed under house arrest but he should be prosecuted for the 26/11 Mumbai outrage. Pakistan’s Defence Minister has declared that Hafiz Saeed is a threat to the country but its army chief has blamed India for terrorism flaring up in Pakistan. It is of course evident that Pakistani terrorism is state–sponsored and is used as a weapon against India. But it has already hurt Pakistan itself as the suicide bombing of a Sufi shrine in Sind killing 88 people proves. India and China should make a concerted effort to engage in the war and terrorism.