India-China Talks at BRICS

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had made an announcement after India and China were positive on an agreement regarding the patrolling by the armies of two nations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in India’s Eastern Sector in Ladakh in which he said, “I can confirm that there will be a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping tomorrow (Wednesday) on the side-lines of the BRICS Summit”. This indeed generated a new lease of hope in the strategic circles as there has been lot of speculation about the actual situation on ground in the Eastern Sector. After the Chinese intrusion in the Galwan valley and the martyrdom of Indian soldiers while defending the national frontiers there has been a lot of uncertainty regarding the actual situation as far as the command and control is concerned. The situation had deteriorated during the COVID times in 2020.The Rising Kashmir has extensively analysed the statements of the External Affairs Minister(EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar and the Chief of the Army Staff(CAS) General Upendra Dwivedi from time to time. Representing the India’s diplomatic arm and the defence perspectives respectively, both have so far expressed that the issue though being sensitive is in the process of being addressed and is still not at the level of India’s satisfaction. As India wants the restoration of the April 2020 situation on the LAC that has been violated by China. Moreover India’s concern has been to restore the control over Despang and Demchok. As these are strategically important for the defence of India in the Northern Frontiers. Though China had not given clear signals about the meeting between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chinese President Xi Jinping but India was confident of this meet. And what Vikram Misri had told has been true. It means that there has been back channel communication to resolve the logjam and restore the peace and stability at the LAC in the Eastern Sector. Both the leaders have held their first bilateral meeting in five years on Wednesday at the 16th BRICS Summit in the South Western Russian city of Kazan. In this meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put forward the Indian stand with clarity by stressing on the importance of ironing out differences that are posing threat to peace and tranquillity in the region. Prime Minister welcomed the recent agreement that Vikram Misri referred to while announcing the meeting between the leaders on the side-lines of the BRICS summit in Kazan. He stressed the need for mutual respect and sensitivity in India-China relationship. He underlined the need for bilateral relations from a long term perspective by catalysing strategic communications at the Foreign Minister level. On behalf of India the Prime Minister has offered full support to China for the SCO Presidency the next year. Former Ambassador K. P Fabian has cautioned that keeping in view the Chinese record; India needs to be cautious as previously China has not been sincere about the agreements that were mutually agreed upon. Indeed there are apprehensions about the Chinese intentions as far as the LAC issue is concerned. We have to keep both diplomatic and military options open. In the emerging global scenario and the Chinese stratagems to hold India in pincer, the nation cannot lower the guard. It is hoped that Modi-Xi meeting will end the stalemate and the Eastern Sector is restored to its previous position as on April 2020 as underlined by CAS General Upendra Dwivedi.