The Chinese premier Xi Jingping and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had an informal meet in Wuhan on 27-28 April amid various conflict in interests. This event can be viewed as a welcoming step by china especially after tensions due to the standoff at Doklam. The outcome of the meet projects a bright future overcoming the differences which both the nations experience due to conflict in interests. They discussed issues ranging from bilateral to regional to global challenges.
On bilateral front they have decided to agree upon strategic guidance to militaries to strengthen communication. This can be viewed as a powerful step to overcome crisis like Doklam in the future. They aimed at balancing the bulging trade deficit from $84 billion to $52 billion by encouraging agricultural and pharmaceutical exports to China. Hence this system of balance of trade will ensure stability in both the nations and help increase income and employment. This can be seen as a sincere attempt made by the nations in improving their relationships. Apart from resetting of issues it has also aimed to have a joint investment in Afghanistan.1 In international relations though nations may fight on many grounds they have certain amount of cooperation to sustain a healthy relation. It can be viewed as a different approach by the Chinese as seen moving away from the Pakistan centric approach. China has viewed the meet as historic as the three minute handshake of the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to the president Deng Xiaoping.
India’s objective in going to the Wuhan summit might have been with the ambition of China respecting its sensitive’s ranging from Pakistan terrorists from being shielded. It might be with the hope that China will not restrict its entry in NSG. Apart from these it can also be seen as conflicts arising over the ambitious Chinese project of Belt and Road initiative hurting the sovereignty of the nation and signs to avoid the rising Tibet issue or over the visits made by the Dalai Lama.2 These were various aspirations and conflict resolution items to be discussed which remained out of the topic. Hence the visit can be seen as initial step towards strengthening ties rather than full fledged move to resolve conflicts. On the other hand it can also be viewed as an art of diplomacy to put India in softer terms and try to work on its belt and road initiative.
The Chinese in order to maintain cordial relations with India needs to focus on key areas which would foster growth in both the nations. For this it is really essential to solve sensitive issues like the Tibet crisis and terrorism to ensure trust and faith in both the governments. Only economic transactions between nations need not prove that they share very good bondage. Hence the Chinese on their part must put their effort in being committed rather than changing its notions and India on the other hand must try its level best to ensure cultural and political connect with the Chinese to ensure a stabilized growth in Asia. Both the nations being the fast emerging economies of the world must act as front runners for developing other nations and ensuring better world.
1 Wisdom At Wuhan: On Modi Xi Meeting http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/wisdom-atwuhan/article23721527.ece 2 China-India Wuhan Summit April 2018: Competing Geo Political Perspectives. http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node/2293 as on 04-05-201