In a sign that could be interpreted as the beginning of a tentative thaw in the troubled Sino-Indian relationship, Beijing invited a group of Indian journalists to China earlier this month for an interaction with officials, academics and analysts.
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Dwelling on the personal chemistry between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their brief meeting on the sidelines of last month’s Brics summit in Kazan, Russia, the message from Beijing to the Indian journalists was that both sides are exploring ways to bring the relationship back to normal.
This would mean restoring the texture and tenor that existed before People’s Liberation Army troops and Indian soldiers came to blows in the Galwan Valley in May 2020. Fighting along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) led to the loss of lives on both sides after brutal hand-to-hand combat.
There has been no substantive contact between the two countries for more than four years despite a large deployment of military forces along the LAC in the high Himalayas. Thousands of troops have reportedly been relocated closer to the LAC since the deadly Galwan clash.
In a surprise announcement last month, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said New Delhi and Beijing had reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the LAC as a step towards disengagement. This is expected to be followed by more talks leading to de-escalation.
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The officials in Beijing who spoke to the Indian media referred to a “wish list” drawn up by China, which to my mind is comprehensive but ambitious. It envisages direct flights between the two countries, easing of visa curbs on Chinese nationals including diplomats and scholars, lifting the ban on Chinese mobile apps and letting Chinese journalists come back to India, among other initiatives.