Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Wuhan, a central Chinese city, to hold an ‘informal summit’ with President of People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping on 27-28 April 2018. The two leaders exchanged views on a range of issues of bilateral and global importance and reviewed the developments in the India-China relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.
The informal meetings in Wuhan were interspersed between a visit to the Hubei Provincial Museum, a walk around the East Lake, a musical event and a ‘chai par charcha’. The talks were held a few months after the nearly 75-day Doklam dispute in 2017had rekindled fears of war between the two Asian nations.
The summit was stated to be unique as neither leader had any pressure or obligation to strike any major breakthroughs. Though no agreements were signed at the end of the meetings, both leaders agreed their two countries had the maturity and wisdom to handle all their differences peacefully through talks. Other highlights are as follows:
Security issues
On the issue of the India-China boundary question, the two leaders endorsed the work of the special representatives in their efforts to find a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement, and also underscored that in the meantime it is important to maintain peace and tranquillity in all areas of the India-China border region. They decided to issue ‘strategic guidance’ to their militaries to strengthen communications to build trust and understanding. The two leaders also recognized the common threat posed by terrorism both reiterated their strong condemnation of a resolute opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both committed to cooperate further in counter-terrorism.
Foreign policy
Mr. Xi pointed out the development of China and India is the ‘trend of the times’ and an important opportunity for each other and both China and India should pursue an independent foreign policy.
The Indian prime minister also floated his own five-point (Panchsheel) agenda for the bilateral relationship that, he said, will be dependent on shared vision, better communication, strong relationship, shared the thought process and shared resolve. This path, he said, will bring global peace, stability, and prosperity.
Economic Ties
There was a focus on giving impetus to economic ties. The two leaders underscored the importance of reform of multilateral financial and political institutions to make them representative and responsive to the needs of developing nations.Mr. Modi pointed out that for 1,600 years, India and China had led global economy. He also stressed on other areas of convergence, such as the dovetailing of ‘New India’ and ‘New Era with Chinese characteristics’. According to him, if both countries work towards this joint vision, then it would benefit the entire world and cement Sino-Indian global leadership status. The two leaders agreed to undertake a joint India-China economic project in Afghanistan.
People-to-people ties
Mr. Modi pointed out both nations represent 40 percent of the global population. Improving their lot would automatically have a positive global effect. There were discussions on agriculture, technology, and promoting cultural, people-to-people relations and creating an open, multipolar and pluralistic society. Proposals included moving ahead on spirituality and holistic health, terms on building ties in films, promoting sports between the two countries and strengthening tourism on the Buddhist circuit.
The visit concluded with Mr. Modi seeking to make the informal summit an annual affair and inviting Xi for the next chapter in India.
Comments
Media from both countries welcomed the informal summit, commenting that “two great countries ought to have great cooperation”. Analysts agree that the Wuhan meeting will increase mutual trust, manage and control disputes, deepen cooperation and lead to a new phase in China-India relations. They point out that strategic agreement between the two countries far exceeds the specific differences, and the need for cooperation far exceeds local friction.
It was evident that Mr. Modi used the summit to not only normalize relationship after the Doklamsetback but also lay the roadmap for global leadership based on the convergence of aims and goals. Through the summit, both sides have chosen the need to put aside their differences in a scenario when belligerence is only going to hurt the two nations. Though the Chinese economy is five times that of India, China realizes it needs India’s support to resist US’ attempts to further economic protectionism and a trade war. India, too, understands the need for a tension-free relationship with China so as to tackle regional issues with other neighbors as well as in its north-eastern regions.
However, the meeting is just the beginning in the process, and nowhere an end to now long-held differences. India and China have had a long history of mutual suspicion and this has kept the two countries from working together. There are disputes over stretches of a 3,500 km border, conflicts over economic and strategic interests in the region, and disagreements over China’s signature Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. While India is also vary of China’s traditionally close ties with Pakistan, China is concerned about the US efforts to draw India into a maritime “quad” of democracies, including Japan and Australia. Another bone of contention between the two countries is the issue of Tibet. China is unhappy about India’s hosting the Dalai Lama and other exiled Tibetans. Both countries have a long way to go to address each other’s fears.
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