AIR Spotlight - Chinese Foreign Ministers’ Visit to India

AIR Spotlight is an insightful program featured daily on the All India Radio Newsonair. In this program, many eminent panellists discuss issues of importance which can be quite helpful in IAS exam preparation. In this article, the March 2022 visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister to India is discussed.

Participants:

• Atul Aneja – International Affairs Expert
• Manish Anand – Journalist

Context: In March 2022, the Chinese Foreign Minister visited India and held meetings with India’s External Affairs Minister and the National Security Advisor.

Know more about the India-China Relations

Significant Aspects of Chinese Foreign Ministers’ Visit to India

• Need to Return to normalcy in the India-China relationship:
  • India stated that the two countries’ relations had yet to be normalized. India emphasized the importance of normalizing the standoff at the India-China border.
  • India also stated that in order to return to normalcy, peace and tranquility must be restored.
• Military talks and stand-off:
  • When Chinese troops crossed the disputed border beyond established patrolling points, they were confronted by their Indian counterparts.
  • After several rounds of negotiations, both sides agreed to disengage troops at the friction points of Galwan, Pangong Tso Lake, and Gogra, while the standoff at Depsang and PP15 went on.
  • In the run-up to the Chinese foreign minister’s visit, there was speculation that PP15 would be the next issue to be resolved, with an announcement made during the current high-level visit.
  • China, on the other hand, has refused to leave Depsang, where its presence has obstructed India’s traditional border patrol routes.
• International Issues:
  • The foreign ministers of India and China discussed a number of international issues, including the Ukraine crisis.
  • In the case of Afghanistan, India’s policy is governed by UN Security Council Resolution 2593.
  • Both countries discussed their respective approaches and perspectives on Ukraine, but agreed that diplomacy and dialogue must take precedence.
• India-China Trade:
  • Unilateral sanctions, the two countries agreed, hampered supply chains and the global economy.
  • In 2021, bilateral trade between India and China increased by 44% to $125.7 billion. India’s trade deficit with China increased to $69.4 billion in 2021 as a result of this.

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What are the concerns raised by India?

• The spread of the Chinese navy in the Indian Ocean has alarmed India, prompting a rush of major powers to increase their presence in the region.
• India also brought up the excessive delay in the return of Indian students to China as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions.
• In this difficult situation, India has also recognised the specific concerns that medical students have.
• India criticized China’s Foreign Minister’s statement on Kashmir at the OIC Summit, saying it harmed the country’s reputation.

Three-point formula for India-China ties

• The Chinese foreign minister has suggested three concepts to take the relationship forward:
  • First, he stated, both countries should take a “long-term view,” place the border issue in an “appropriate position,” and stick to the correct path for bilateral relations development.
  • Second, China and India must adopt a “win-win” mentality. This meant Beijing acknowledged India’s “traditional role in the region” and pledged not to pursue a “unipolar Asia.” The Chinese foreign minister also stated that China was willing to explore a ‘China India plus’ partnership with India for South Asian development.
  • Finally, the Chinese foreign minister suggested that “both countries should participate in the multilateral process cooperatively.”

Read more Gist of AIR Spotlight here.

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