Chinese foreign minister’s plan failed
The Galvan clash created a negative image about China worldwide. A country which repeatedly tries to spoil the atmosphere on the border. After three years, China thought of creating a new gimmick. Forgetting the tension in eastern Ladakh, he wanted to start a new chapter in the relationship between the armies of the two countries. Perhaps with this intention, China’s Defense Minister General Li Shangfu had come to Delhi. But his plan failed. In the first gestures, India again bluntly said that until there is peace on the border and the troops do not withdraw in eastern Ladakh, the relations between the two countries cannot improve.
There has been tension on the border between India and China for three years. Defense Minister Rajnath smiled and shook hands with the defense ministers of other member countries who came for the SCO summit, but the strain in relations with China was clearly visible. Rajnath did not even shake hands with his Chinese counterpart. He tweeted pictures of handshakes with all counterparts, but the difference was stark in his meeting with his Chinese counterpart. Rajnath clearly said that our relations depend on maintaining peace on the border but the foundation of bilateral relations has been eroded by the violation of existing agreements. Both the ministers held talks for about 55 minutes. China got the message that its pulses are not going to melt in this environment.
Reply to Pakistan from Delhi
In the language of diplomacy, it is said that a lot is hidden in the message itself. Yesterday, Rajnath had a meeting with the Defense Ministers of SCO, today the meeting is happening but Pakistan is absent. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto is going to visit India for the Zardari Summit next month. But they should not expect to get any special attention in Delhi. It is clear from what is coming out from inside till now that there is no possibility of any formal bilateral meeting. India keeps telling Pakistan that infiltration on the border and use of its soil against India has to be stopped only then the relations can improve.
The people of Pakistan are currently seeing bad days. Many people have even posted videos requesting PM Modi’s help to save their country. Yet Pakistani leaders like Bilawal have been continuously spewing fire against India. Bilawal will attend the Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Goa on May 4-5. After many years, a prominent leader of Pakistan is visiting India.
Here, when the Army Chief of Bangladesh reached Delhi, a unique example of India’s diplomacy was seen. Here in the room where the army chiefs of India and Bangladesh met and shook hands, there was a historical picture right behind it. Yes, at the time of the 1971 war, a picture of Pakistan’s surrender was hanging on the wall. India’s Army Chief General Manoj Pandey and Bangladesh Army Chief Shafiuddin Ahmed met with smiles but the picture must have been jarring for people sitting far away in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.