Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi suddenly arrived in New Delhi on the evening of 24 March, although unconfirmed reports of his possible visit to India had been coming for a few days. Wang Yi meeting India’s National Defense Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar. It is not clear whether he will meet PM Modi or not but reports suggest that the Chinese side wants the meeting to take place.
Wang Yi’s visit comes amid a standoff between the two countries in the eastern Ladakh sector for the past two years. In such a situation, questions are being raised that for what purpose has Wang Yi reached New Delhi? Let us know what the experts are saying on this issue.
BRICS conference?
Those who watch India-China relations believe that China has to host the BRICS summit. The last 2 summits were virtual but now the BRICS leaders are going to meet in China. In such a situation, China does not want PM Modi not to come to China. India’s absence from the BRICS summit may raise questions about the activism of the summit as India is an important member of this grouping.
Experts say that the last BRICS summit in China was held in September 2017, in which PM Modi participated. Doklam issue was resolved about two and a half months before the conference, so Modi should participate in this conference.
Ukraine and Afghanistan?
Reports suggest that after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, new camps are once again forming. India has not yet openly opposed the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In such a situation, China feels that India is still not completely in the court of western countries. In this situation, China is looking towards a new beginning with India. China wants to hold talks with India on Ukraine as well as Afghanistan.
Line of Actual Control
With regard to relations with India and the ongoing standoff on the border, China has been saying that the relations between New Delhi and Beijing are at many levels. China has consistently maintained that the border dispute should be handled appropriately and the bigger picture of bilateral relations should be taken into account. But India’s stand is different on this issue. New Delhi has consistently maintained that the border situation has adversely affected bilateral ties, so the two things cannot be seen from different angles.
In simple language, China says that they will continue to work on the border, first let’s see business etc., while India says that first the deadlock on the border should end and then there should be some talk. Experts believe that Wang Yi’s visit is on the changing geopolitical situation regarding Ukraine and preventing attempts to isolate Russia, while India’s priority is the Line of Actual Control.