China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s sudden visit to India is being seen as an initiative to improve relations amid the changing geopolitical situation. On Friday, when he met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and earlier National Security Advisor Ajit Doval have been given a clear indication to him that India is also keen to improve relations. But it is possible only when there is peace on the border. India has expressed that the issue of LAC is important for it first. Only after that the rest of the issues can be discussed.
According to sources, the Chinese Foreign Minister also invited Doval to visit China. But Doval bluntly said – as long as the conditions on the LAC are normal as before, travel is possible. In fact, bilateral relations have been good even after the border dispute continued till April 2020. But they have deteriorated after the violent incident in Galwan Valley. Keeping that incident aside, China wants to strengthen bilateral relations. Whereas it is important for India to restore the situation on the LAC before April 2020.
Chances: The ice frozen in relationships will melt
External Affairs Ministry sources said that this is the first visit of a senior Chinese official to India after the Galvan Valley conflict. Therefore, in the coming days, the ice in the relationship is expected to melt. The issue of withdrawing troops in the hot spring will be agreed upon in the upcoming negotiations.
Apprehension: China specializes in sweet talk
India is also apprehensive about China’s stand. The source said that China’s top leadership is adept at sweet talk. That’s why Wang also said that if the two countries work together, it will be important for the whole world. But these things are good to hear and say. At the lower level, whether it is the army or the bureaucracy, its stand remains erratic. In the last two years, Jaishankar has met Wang in Moscow in September 2020 and Dubanshe in July and September 2021. Talked by phone several times. Despite this, there has been no significant change in China’s stand on the LAC. In the talks of the top commander level, the stand of the Chinese officials remains adamant. He doesn’t show any desire to improve the relationship.
Speculation: Russia-Ukraine discussions
There is also a lot of speculation about Wang’s visit in view of the Russia-Ukraine developments. However, the Ministry of External Affairs believes that there is no merit in this. Indeed, Russia-India relations are strong. He can talk directly to India anytime. In such a situation, there is no need to send a message to him through China. Yes, it may be possible that in the changing geopolitical situation, the Chinese Foreign Minister is trying to establish the importance of China by traveling to many countries without invitation.