India must respect disengagement

In a sign of tensions de-escalating on the Sino-Indian border following the deadly clash between Chinese and Indian soldiers in the Galwan Valley on June 15, front-line troops from both countries reportedly started to disengage from each other along the Line of Actual Control on Monday.

The move, which is essential to prevent any possible military confrontation recurring as a result of miscalculation, was taken after Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi talked with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on the phone on Sunday, during which both agreed on the disengagement process and pledged to restore peace and tranquility along the border as soon as possible.

Despite the difficult situation after the most deadly clash in four decades, that the two countries have chosen to work together and not allow nationalistic sentiment to hijack their bilateral relationship once again proves that reason has prevailed. For they both know a confrontation between the world’s two most populous countries would serve neither of them any good, and their border disputes can only be resolved through talks and negotiations.

The recent deadly clash on the border was caused by Indian troops violating protocols and consensus reached by the two countries over their boundary issues and repeatedly crossing the Line of Actual Control in an attempt to change the status quo there.

Now that the disengagement has taken effect, it is imperative that New Delhi makes sure that its troops observe the consensus reached and not take further provocative actions that may once again escalate tensions. With the disengagement holding, both sides should also consider reducing their massive troop deployments along the border that were made since June 15.

While it is easy to fan nationalist fever for political gains during a border dispute, politicians in India must also realize how it may cause damage to its own national interests. The ban of Chinese apps and calls for a boycott of Chinese products in India after the recent clash only reinforce hostility between the two countries and run counter to efforts to rebuild mutual trust.

To avoid any future incidents and ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas, the two sides need to maintain communication and strengthen their coordination.

As the world’s two largest developing nations, China and India face urgent development tasks. The novel coronavirus pandemic, which is still ravaging the world, makes it all the more necessary for them to cooperate with each other, rather than engage in confrontation.

The border issue should not prevent the two countries from seeing the big picture of their relations.