India, China Talks At ASEAN Summit

Despite differences of opinion, the balance in political India-China relationship will remain unaffected. The existing bi-lateral issues will be solved through discussions. This was obviously the message conveyed by the meeting between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in Thailand. This can be regarded as a ray of hope amid tension between the countries over Arunachal Pradesh and Dalai Lama.

Undeniable Fact
Prime Minister Dr. Singh usually creates a good impression on those he meets and Wen Jiabao was no exception. That is why he expressed his enthusiasm after the meeting. This might be a normal diplomatic etiquette. Yet, if it is followed by a resolve to trust, goodwill and better understanding of each other, efforts made to carry it out must be taken seriously. No controversial issues were taken up at this meeting and rightly too.

What is an undeniable fact is that Arunachal Pradesh is India's integral part. Recently, elections have been held there and the Congress party won by a huge majority to form the government in the state. However, the External Affairs Ministry regards Dalai Lama as a religious leader. Therefore, he is free to go anywhere he wants. This meeting will be considered as successful only when China stops issuing provocative statements. China must also appreciate India's concern if it builds a dam on the Brahamaputra River to run its projects in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Increasing Trade Cooperation
Therefore, it is necessary to start the process of a dialogue on these questions. Normally, collaboration on other fronts plays a major role in making this possible. The new India- China equation being formed with the United States on climate change, or the ongoing meeting between the ASEAN countries and East Asia for increasing trade cooperation can be of immense help to the countries in this regard. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been emphasizing the need for the country to "look east" for some years. The trade agreement reached with the ASEAN countries in August was an important step taken in that direction.

As India becomes more active in the changing economic relations in Asia, it will be easier to solve border and political disputes with neighbors like China, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. Japan is eager to have an Asian Union similar to the European Union.

China is likely to object to India's presence and importance in it. Nevertheless, India must try to solve these knotty problems instead of being instigated by them. This will speak volumes about our diplomatic skill. It will also pave the way for a better understanding with China.

Growing Tension
After the recent tension and war of words between India and China, the friendly attitude displayed by the leaders of both countries at Thailand's tourist destination Hua Hin is important. In his nearly one-hour-talk with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Singh has given his consent to developing mutual confidence and understanding, and strengthening bilateral strategic relations.

Indian External Affairs Ministry officials say controversial issues like Arunachal Pradesh and the Dalai Lama's Arunachal Pradesh visit were not part of the talks between the leaders. It seems these issues have been left for the talks between the foreign ministers of both countries to be held shortly. When two apex leaders meet, they give priority to improving mutual relations. As far as India and China are concerned, their relations in the past two decades have been full of ups and downs. Against this background, Dr. Singh and Jiabao have held talks on global, regional, and bilateral issues.

Toward Better Ties
Jiabao has termed the talks significant and admitted that both countries could establish better relations in the future, which would be in the interest of both countries. But how would this be possible when China is cooperating in projects in the northern part of Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan, and is following the policy of considering Kashmir as a separate country from India? While it professes to be India's friend, at the same time China is adopting the policy of power balance against India -- how could both these things go together?

There is no doubt that it would not be easy to improve relations that are uneasy, doubtful, and plagued with problems, but there must be efforts at making a meaningful beginning, even if success appears to be very far. Looking at the unipolar situation in the world, China needs India for the management of new world order, and to deal with the imbalance created by the present attitude.

Assessment
India also needs China, and this cannot be denied. This is the reason that Dr. Singh and Jiabao have reiterated in one voice that India and China would strengthen their relations keeping their mutual interests in view, and the disputes would not come in its way. This should be looked at as a beginning in the direction of improving relations.

India's Firm Reply To China's Aggressive Attitude

The objection that China has raised over Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's Arunachal Pradesh visit is completely improper and an illegitimate act. The Indian Government has given a befitting reply by rejecting it outright. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. The people of this state are an inseparable part of the Indian democracy.

The threatening manner in which China has expressed its displeasure is an obstinate act of interfering into the internal matters of an independent and sovereign country. We are free to travel anywhere in our country. Our guests are also free to travel anywhere within our borders. China cannot instruct us where we can go and where we cannot.

Maintaining Peace on Border
This is not the first time that China has expressed its displeasure over the prime minister's visit. In 2008 also, it had expressed regret at calling Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory. Earlier in 1987, China had taken control of a far flung border post in Arunachal Pradesh. It has illegally occupied 43,180 sq km of Indian territory.

On contrary, it accuses India of illegally occupying 90,000 sq km of its territory in Arunachal Pradesh. Talks are going on between the countries over the border dispute, and both countries are committed to maintaining peace on the border. Undoubtedly, the issue is very complicated. Until now, 13 rounds of talks have been completed, but the dispute stands where it was.

Honoring Line of Actual Control
Although India and China both have agreed not to use power and honor the Line of Actual Control as long as the border dispute is not settled, still apprehensions of conflict with China have been raised from time-to-time. For the past some time, China has been exhibiting its aggressive stance again. Though there is dominance of moderate leaders in China's government, its foreign policy is still on the old track, the foundation of which was laid by Mao Zedong. No matter where Dalai Lama goes, China always raises objection. If any leader goes to Taiwan, it becomes displeased. If anyone goes to Arunachal Pradesh, it becomes incensed. This has become its habit, but nobody would be afraid of going into the disputed territory.

In coming November, Dalai Lama is going to travel to Arunachal Pradesh. Even if China protests against it, the Indian Government would not stop him. All mutual disputes between India and China could only be sorted out through dialogue and not by exhibiting aggressive behavior. Both countries should sit together for this, so that it does not affect our long-term relations.

China's Claims
China's claim on a part of Arunachal Pradesh for years cannot be overlooked. But it has never been so offensive before. At one time, it had even started issuing visas to people of Arunachal Pradesh. It is, therefore, imperative for India to find out the reasons for this sudden extreme attitude. Can there be any other latent reason behind it, instead of the border dispute? Even otherwise, the border dispute had reached a deadlock long ago.

India has been accusing China of illegal occupation of a part of Jammu and Kashmir. As against this, China has been charging India of occupying 90,000 sq km of its territory. It must be also borne in mind that China alone is responsible for the stalemate in this old border dispute. Several rounds of talks have been held to solve it, but so far no plans have been exchanged.

China has most certainly experienced the strengthening of trade relations between the two countries. It is equally aware of the fact that tension in diplomatic relations might jeopardize its trade. Could it then be all set to increase this tension knowingly? In view of past experience it is necessary for India to tell China directly that it is not only embittering the relationship between the countries by this unfriendly behavior that is also ruining the atmosphere in Asia. It must also beware of foreign affairs experts like Natwar Singh who have suddenly started taking China's side. They are likely to prove harmful to India.

India's Reply to China's Aggression
Although belated, India has made the right move by showing firmness against China's aggressive attitude. Objection raised on Chinese interference in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir [PoK] is also totally justified. The earlier hesitation to replying to China in its own language is inexplicable. Is it not strange that the prime minister had described Chinese incursions into Arunachal Pradesh and Laddakh as a creation of the media? Surprisingly enough, when objections were raised against some projects China was working on in PoK, the Chinese President stated that his country would continue participating in them. India should actually have lodged a protest when China had started taking interest in Pakistan's projects.

It is difficult to say for certain right now how this neighboring country will react to India's sharp riposte. Nevertheless, India must try to find out the reasons for China's sudden aggressive stand. It not only causes concern but is also surprising.