Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the BRICS Summit in Xiamen. Bilateral relations were assessed sensibly. The Doklam Crisis has been defused. Modi and Xi agreed that such incidents should not recur. Disputes should melt away in an atmosphere of trust. The militaries of both countries should be in close contact. Peace in the border areas is of the utmost importance. All this is good news. The question remains as to why irritants along the line of actual control raise their prickly head so often. Why has the boundary issue not been settled as yet? Relations between the two giant neighbours oscillate as a result. China professes to believe in the banding spirit of Panchsheel. But it seems to show no interest in India’s interests and reciprocity. China is constantly trying to threaten the US in a power game. India is also dragged into the trilateral relationship. The Henderson Brookes-Bhagat report should also be borne in mind. The US may not wish to argue with its Banker. India should also keep an eye on economic interests.
What is more significant about the BRICS Xiamen declaration is the condemnation of Pakistan-Based anti-India terror groups. It should impact China’s relations with India. China’s business interests in India are considerable. Chinese imports face stiff competition in countries other than India. China should promote ties with India at all costs. It should not unduly protect Azhar the terrorist. And India should not make much of the Dalai Lama’s stand on Tibet.
