PM Modi and President Xi seem to have changed the tenor of India-China ties.
They must now build on it to evolve a mutually beneficial geo-political space.
How has the Wuhan meet proceeded?
The current Wuhan meet seems largely informal and unstructured, and both the premiers were accompanied only by their translators the entire time.
Press statements issued denote that both leaders held discussions that were wide in their scope, and covered “bilateral, regional and global issues”.
An understanding had been reached to strengthen communication lines between both militaries to avoid Doklam like standoff in the future.
Indo-China bilateral trade currently stands and $84 billion per annum and India faces a massive trade deficit of about $52 billion with China.
The leaders have pledged to better balance this deficit by enhancing China’s import of Indian goods in key sectors like agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
An attempt has been made to address the international irritants in the relationship like
China’s blocking of “India’s NSG membership bid” and “terror designation for Pakistan-based groups”.
India’s opposition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and tacit pampering of the Tibet issue.
Additionally, Mr. Modi and Mr. Xi discussed a joint project in Afghanistan, which is a very significant step for the entire south Asian region.
What is the larger message?
Past – Despite hundreds of years of engaging each other, the two neighbours have been to war only once.
Sing the signing of the 1993 “Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity”, neither side has fired a weapon against the other.
This is very significant as the 3500 Km long border is largely not demarcated.
Also, despite both countries processing atomic weapons, parleys have never carried even a hint of the nuclear overhang.
Currently - In the run up to Wuhan, there was a conscious toning down of rhetoric by both sides, after the high reached during the Doklam standoff.
This has set out a strong message that Indian and China can work together on peaceful terms despite bilateral and geopolitical differences.
While much else remains to be done, Wuhan has definitely set the tone for a mutually beneficial and sustained Asian Century.
