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Asian Angle | Are there warmer currents between New Delhi and Beijing after India took part in the Chinese navy’s anniversary celebrations?
- Tensions have been mounting between the two Asian behemoths, but recent developments indicate a thawing of relations
- Dealing with China be one of the major foreign policy challenges that confront India’s next government, making it worthwhile for the two to focus on their areas of cooperation, writes Rupakjyoti Borah
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The participation of two Indian battleships – INS Kolkata and INS Shakti – in the International Fleet Review organised as part of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s 70th anniversary celebrations last month could very well signal a thawing of relations between the two Asian behemoths.
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The Indian Navy’s involvement coincided with Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale’s visit to Beijing for regular talks with Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi. Last week also marked the first anniversary of the Wuhan Informal Summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
These developments stand in stark contrast to the mounting tensions in the India-China relationship in recent times.
Earlier this year, China put a “technical hold” on India’s bid to designate the founder of Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Masood Azhar, as a terrorist at the UN 1267 al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee. JeM claimed responsibility for the February attack in Indian Kashmir, which killed dozens of paramilitaries and prompted India to launch air strikes on training camps inside Pakistan.
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Beijing’s ambitious belt and road infrastructure plans have also made New Delhi uneasy; India did not attend the inaugural 2017 forum and was once more absent at the second forum last week.
In turn, India’s participation in the “Quad” – an informal strategic dialogue that also includes Japan, the US and Australia – was not well received in Beijing.
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