1 / 7India and China recently started to work on improving the bilateral relations between the two countries. With India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar visiting China in July and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visiting New Delhi last week, both the Asian countries showed intentions to improve the long-stalled issues concerning border and trade. Even when the two sides have agreed to resume direct trade, here are the issues that still remain:
2 / 7Dam construction on Brahmaputra: China started construction of a dam on Yarlung Tsangpo (Chinese name for Brahmaputra River) in July, at a location where it bends just before entering Arunachal Pradesh in India. The project is estimated to cost $167 billion and would become the world’s largest dam once completed, surpassing China’s Three Gorges Dam (in photo). India has raised concerns on the dam construction and has started working on the plans to build a 11.2 GW Upper Siang Multipurpose dam in Arunachal Pradesh to mitigate the concerns. Jaishankar and Yi discussed the issue, and the Indian diplomat called for utmost transparency being needed in this regard, MEA said in a statement. (Image: Wikipedia)
3 / 7India China border issues: Both the nations have longstanding border concerns. With the Galwan valley clash in 2020, the countries had stalled the diplomatic relations which affected major trade disruptions and cancellation of direct flights between India and China. During Yi’s meeting with NSA Ajit Doval, the two sides agreed to resolve the border concerns by setting up ‘Expert Group’, ‘Working Group’ and ‘General Level Mechanisms’ to boost peace on the borders. (Image: Shutterstock)
4 / 7India China trade: The direct border trade operations which were halted following the Galwan clash, would be resumed between India and China, with both countries agreeing to finalise the updated Air Services Agreement. The nations will reopen the designated trading points along the border which include Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass and Nathu La Pass. (Image: Shutterstock)
5 / 7Taiwan: China has claimed the island nation of Taiwan as its own under its ‘One China’ policy. However, New Delhi has maintained ties with Taipei. During the Jaishankar-Yi meeting, the Chinese side had raised the issue but India stated that there is no change in its position on the matter. India had a relationship with Taiwan that focuses on economic, technological and cultural ties and that this would continue, the MEA said in a statement. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, however, expressed surprise over the statement, stating that Taiwan is an “inalienable part” of China’s territory, hoping that India would recognise this to improve the bilateral relations. (Image: Agencies)
6 / 7Dalai Lama succession: India has supported Dalai Lama and provides refuge to the Tibetan religious leader since China annexed Tibet. The Chinese spokesperson in India in July called India’s support to Tibetan leader acting as a “thorn” in the relations of both the countries. However, on August 21, the Minister of State of External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, clarified India’s stance on the matter while responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha. He told the Parliament that India does not take any position on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion. He clarified that the government, however, supports the freedom of religion for all in India and will continue to do so, and the same has been conveyed to the Chinese side. (Image: Reuters)
7 / 7PM Modi’s visit to China: Despite the number of concerns between India and China, the two nations have been working to improve the bilateral issues. Continuing the recent momentum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting China on August 31 to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. A bilateral meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Modi is expected to be held to review and further the ties between India’s two largest economies. (Image: Agencies)
