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
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
Indiastressed 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.