Glimmer of Hope: On India-China Five-Point Consensus

Context: The five-point consensus reached between the Foreign Ministers of India and China in Moscow on Thursday provides a glimmer of hope of a diplomatic solution

Consensus

• Inclined towards previous understandings: Take guidance from previous understandings, including on not allowing differences to become disputes.

• Nobody gains: Agreed the current situation suits neither side, troops should quickly disengage, maintain a proper distance, and ease tensions.

• Respect the agreements: They would abide by all existing agreements, continue the dialogue, and expedite work on finding confidence-building measures to maintain peace.

Concerns

• Not clear whether both sides return to the status quo

• Discordant notes on key issues:

• India stressed that peace on the boundary was essential for ties and that recent incidents had impacted the broader relationship

• While the Chinese Foreign Minister quoted Indian counterpart that India did not believe that its relationship with China is dependent on border settlements.

• China sought to emphasise the importance of “moving the relationship in the right direction” and to put the border “in a proper context”. 

• China’s official news agency issued a commentary placing the onus entirely on India to defuse tensions, accusing India of “reckless provocations”.

Conclusion

• Glimmer of hope: It is welcome that India and China have finally found something to agree on
• Talks should continue:  continuing rounds of talks should be aimed sincerely at disengagement, and not at presenting a veneer of diplomatic engagement.
• The need for caution: India will need to verify before it can trust each of China’s steps from now on.