India-China relations will not improve unless goodwill is established on LAC

New Delhi: Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephonic discussion. During the long discussion, which lasted for 75 minutes, it was agreed to establish a hotline between the leaders of both countries. At the same time, Foreign Minister Jaishankar pointed out that China has still not withdrawn its military from other parts of the LAC. At the same time, the Chinese Foreign Minister expressed a wish that the border dispute should not affect bilateral relations. The Chinese Foreign Minister is demanding, in other words, that despite Chinese intrusions, India should maintain cordial economic relations with China.

China has withdrawn its military from the regions to the north and south of Pangong Lake. But the Chinese military has not retreated from other parts of the LAC in Ladakh. Foreign Minister Jaishankar made China aware that the relations between the countries cannot improve unless China completes the withdrawal process to Indian satisfaction. During the discussions, foreign minister Jaishankar clarified that harmony and camaraderie could be established between the two countries only after the tension is defused on the LAC in Ladakh. It can take a long time to resolve the border dispute between the two countries. Jaishankar presented the Indian stand in clear words saying that the use of force to change the situation on the LAC unilaterally and violently will be extremely hurtful for the relations between the two countries.

India has accused that the start of the conflict was that China intruded across the LAC in Ladakh and made a unilateral attempt to change the situation there. Presenting the same stand once again during the discussions with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Jaishankar delivered the message that India has not deviated from its position. Whereas, it is being reported that it was concurred to establish a hotline between the political leaderships of the two countries along with the military top brass for a timely contact.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi adopted a stern stand during the discussions that the border dispute should not affect economic relations. Wang Yi demanded that the border dispute should not be highest on the priority list in bilateral relations. India, infuriated after the Galwan Valley attack, had banned and imposed sanctions against Chinese apps and products. The Indian government also decided to stop Chinese investments. Initially, China tried to play it down, saying that this will not have any effect on China. The Chinese mouthpiece Global Times even tried to nettle India saying that India had no option for the Chinese products. But China realised the effects after some time.

Chinese Ambassador to India had appealed to the government to withdraw these decisions. Now, Foreign Minister Wang Yi also is making a similar appeal. Chinese Foreign Minister is demanding that even if China intrudes through the LAC, it should not affect the bilateral economic relations. But India has time and again clarified that if the relations between the countries have to return to normal, harmony on the LAC is a must or, rather, the harmony on the LAC is the pre-condition to maintain cooperation between the two countries. Therefore, India has issued a clear warning that China cannot reap economic benefits from India, keeping the tension alive on the LAC. The Indian Foreign Minister has apparently reprimanded China regarding this in a diplomatic language.