Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights between India and China will start again! The matter was resolved in the G-20 summit

India and China have decided to convene a meeting of their special representatives on the border issue as soon as possible after almost five years. Both countries have taken this decision a few weeks after withdrawing their troops from two conflict areas in eastern Ladakh.

Foreign Minister S. Talks were held between Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi late on Monday night (18 November 2024) on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, in which the next steps in India-China relations were discussed. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both ministers felt that it is important to stabilize relations, resolve differences and take next steps.

Withdrawal of troops and maintaining peace in border areas

This was the first high-level conversation between the two sides after the completion of the disengagement process in Depsang and Demchok on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The Foreign Ministry said that both the ministers agreed that the withdrawal of troops in the border areas has helped in maintaining peace and harmony. The main topic of this discussion was on the next steps in India-China relations. Both sides agreed that a meeting of special representatives and Foreign Secretary-Deputy Minister level will be held soon.

On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio, met CPC Politburo member and FM Wang Yi of China.

We noted the progress in the recent disengagement in the India-China border areas. And exchanged views on the next steps in our bilateral ties.

Also discussed the global situation. pic.twitter.com/fZDwHlkDQt

—Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 19, 2024

Major issues raised in the meeting

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, several key steps were discussed in the meeting, including resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, sharing of data on cross-border rivers, direct flights between India and China and mutual movement of media persons. This meeting was especially important because for the last few years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, direct flights between the two countries and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra were suspended.

Discussion on India’s foreign policy and global situation

In the meeting, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar told Wang that India is against a unilateral approach to establish dominance and it does not view its relations from the perspective of other countries. “On the global situation and international issues, the External Affairs Minister said that there are both differences and similarities between India and China,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. We have worked constructively within the BRICS and SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) framework.”

Wang Yi’s consent and the need to improve relations

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed with Jaishankar and said that India-China relations have special importance in world politics. Wang said the leaders of the two countries had agreed on the way forward in Kazan and the two ministers felt it was important to focus on stabilizing relations, resolving differences and taking next steps.

Patrolling and deployment of troops in border areas

After the completion of the withdrawal process, Indian and Chinese armies have started one round of patrolling each in Depsang and Demchok. Both sides have maintained the deployment of troops on the LAC and now the focus will be on reducing tension overall. At present, about 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers from both sides are deployed on the LAC in the area.

Meeting held in Kazan and future plans

It is understood that both sides are in the process of reworking several communication systems, including Special Representative talks on the border. Prime Minister in Kazan, Russia on 23 October Narendra Modi After the meeting between and Chinese President Xi Jinping, an agreement was reached between the two countries. In this meeting, both the leaders had agreed on future steps, which are now being implemented.

Will trust be established between the two countries in future?

After the military withdrawal, the Indian Army is trying to restore trust and to achieve this objective both sides will have to reassure each other. Two days after the signing of the agreement, Modi and Xi held talks in the Russian city of Kazan, in which mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries was emphasized.

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