The significance of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s New Delhi visit
India and China went from Bhai-Bhai in 2019 to Katti-Katti (I don’t want to talk to you!) in 2020. The two countries have not been able to mend the bridges between their relationships after the deadly Galwan valley clashes.
THE UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING WANG’S VISIT:
But Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi on March 25, 2022, came with a few very unusual things:
- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to New Delhi is the first by a top Chinese official after the 2020 clashes.
- Neither Beijing nor New Delhi made an official announcement about Wang’s visit. EAM S Jaishankar later addressed a presser on Wang’s visit and said that since there was no mutual agreement, no official announcement was made.
- Wang’s visit to New Delhi came just a day after his comments on Jammu and Kashmir at an OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, managed to irk New Delhi.
Nonetheless, Wang Yi met his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar and also National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He held discussions with both the Indian officials. Jaishankar said he held three hours of long and candid talks with his Wang Yi.
WHAT WAS DISCUSSED DURING THE MEETINGS?
EAM S Jaishankar took media questions post Wang’s visit.
Here are the highlights:
1. Addressing the elephant in the room, Jaishankar and Wang Yi also talked about the standoff at the Ladakh border. S Jaishankar said that he discussed how to take the disengagement process at the LAC forward. But he also added that the situation is a ‘work in progress’ and moving at a slower pace than desired.
2. EAM said that they discussed bilateral relations between India and China that were disturbed due to Chinese incursion in Ladakh in 2020.
3. He also said that he raised the issue of Indian students studying in China who are facing troubles returning due to Covid restrictions. Jaishankar said that Wang assured him that he would speak to authorities to resolve the issue.
4. The two Foreign Ministers also discussed the geopolitical implications of the Ukraine-Russia war and exchanged each other’s perspectives on the matter.
5. Jaishankar and Wang also discussed the prevailing situation in Afghanistan. Jaishankar said he communicated India’s policy on the country that is guided by the UN Security Council Resolution 2593 to Wang.
6. Jaishankar also clarified that they did not discuss Quad-related issues.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VISIT?
The visit by Wang Yi is quite significant. For one, it could mean that Beijing is trying to signal to New Delhi that it wants to revive the pre-2020 bilateral status. Moreover, the Chinese side also invited Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on a reciprocal visit to China. In addition, China has also proposed a series of visits by high-ranking Chinese officials.
1. The visit could also mean that Beijing is setting the stage for the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) summit in China later this year.
2. Reports also say that Beijing wants to lay the foundation to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi in person during the BRICS summit, which is set to be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin as well.
3. The 2017 BRICS summit was also used to resolve the Doklam border standoff. So, it is possible that Beijing is trying to settle the dust with New Delhi before the 2022 BRICS summit.
4. The Ukraine-Russia war also provides China a window of opportunity to begin a dialogue with India, as it has been carefully watching New Delhi’s moves on the issue. Moreover, India’s presence at the BRICS summit attended by Putin may also mean support for Russia when it is facing global condemnation for its acts in Ukraine.
5. China has also proposed an ‘India-China Civilization Dialogue’, India-China Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum and an India-China Film Forum to boost relations between the two countries.
Wang Yi's visit to India also triggered protests by Tibetans, while the MPs of the Tibetan government-in-exile urged India to encourage Beijing to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama.
It needs to be seen whether Beijing’s outreach and future such visits help resolve the chill between India and China.