India and China have taken steps towards improving relations by discussing the resumption of direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage during meetings at the G20 Summit. This engagement comes on the heels of successful disengagement from contentious border areas and reflects a commitment to addressing both nations’ interests constructively, aiming for a stable and healthy bilateral relationship moving forward.
In a significant advancement for India-China relations, discussions have commenced regarding the resumption of direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. This development was highlighted following a meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, and Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This meeting is the first substantial engagement since the recent completion of disarmament in the disputed regions of Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh, which has been pivotal in maintaining stability between the two nations. The suspension of flights between India and China, due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, has persisted despite lifted travel restrictions. The historical context of their relationship includes a series of confrontations, notably the clash in Galwan Valley that resulted in casualties on both sides. The Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, integral to many Indians as a spiritual journey to a sacred site, also remains on hold for similar reasons. During their discussion, Mr. Jaishankar emphasized India’s commitment to a multipolar world and its principled foreign policy that opposes unilateral dominance. The discourse underlined both the differences and areas of cooperation between the two nations, including their mutual roles within global platforms like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). In response, Mr. Wang Yi acknowledged the importance of India-China relations on a global scale, recognizing the discussions held previously between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping. He expressed aspirations to enhance bilateral ties, address core interests of both countries with sincerity, and foster a stable and healthy development trajectory for their relationship moving forward.
The recent engagement between India and China follows a prolonged period of tension that peaked with border skirmishes in 2020. The Galwan Valley clash was particularly noteworthy, marking a significant deterioration in relations. Since then, both countries have worked towards disengagement in disputed territories, making this discourse a critical step towards normalizing relations. Furthermore, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted not only travel but also long-standing cultural and religious exchanges such as the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, which are now at the forefront of diplomatic discussions.
In conclusion, the recent meeting between the foreign ministers of India and China indicates a renewed commitment to enhancing bilateral relations after a turbulent period marked by military confrontations. The focus on resuming direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage highlights efforts to reintegrate cultural exchanges alongside maintaining diplomatic dialogue. The expressed desire from both sides to stabilize relations and mutually respect core interests bodes well for future interactions and bilateral cooperation.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
