INDIA-CHINA TIES: BREAKTHROUGH?
The recently concluded informal summit in Chennai between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping of China produced some spectacular photo-ops, just like the first summit in Wuhan had last year.
Realists might ask what the specific outcomes or takeaways of the “Chennai Connect” were and there are five that one can point to straight away.
First, the two leaders discussed the national visions and goals of their nations at length, including the means of achieving these objectives. This strategic communication is important to make an assessment of the other side’s calculations, tactics, stratagems and thinking. It is only through such conversations that India and China can build understanding and trust. Hence, this was the most significant part of the Mamallapuram meeting.
Second, based on the Indian side’s briefing to the media, it became obvious that the two leaders have agreed to work to ensure that our border areas continue to remain relatively peaceful. This outcome from the earlier Wuhan meeting will be carried forward, indicating that both sides are keen to ensure peace and tranquillity in the border regions. This has positive spin-offs for each country. Military exchanges will also be enhanced as this is a pre-requisite for peace. Third, the establishment of the new ‘high-level’ mechanism, headed by the vice-premier of China and our own finance minister, on trade, investment and services indicates that the leaders are keen to reduce India’s trade deficit
with China. This can happen only if we sell more services to China or if we attract significant amounts of foreign investment from them. Hence, the title of the ‘high-level mechanism’. Sceptics will argue that this just pushes the trade deficit issue down the line; however, we need to take our own steps to attract Chinese investment as well, so that the capital account can help balance our payments. Here, our finance ministry plays a critical role and will have to pull its weight.
Fourth, Modi and Xi have recognised that in order for our countries to enjoy a better relationship and enhance trust, the people of India and China need to interact more vibrantly. This is a continuation of their work from Wuhan. India had indicated that it will work hard to get more Chinese tourists to India, which can be easily achieved if we have a sustained, wellarticulated and targeted campaign to market ‘Incredible India’ in China. We might surprise even ourselves with the results and can easily see up to 1.5 million Chinese tourists visiting India over the next few years. This will be significantly more than the current 250,000. Similarly, a value proposition to Chinese students based on common sense will attract many of them to study in India. The efforts of the two governments in enhancing exchanges between the people of India and China need some bolstering by the private sectors in both countries.
Finally, an important outcome from Chennai is that informal summits have become a crucial part of international diplomatic practice. Particularly, when relations are difficult or complex, these kinds of meetings provide the leadership with the scope to think out of the box and not get tied down by standard phrases and talking points. In our context, it is significant that the two leaders have taken ownership of the relationship. This augurs well for our ties.
The naysayers are bound to ask whether Chennai was able to resolve any of the individual issues that bedevil India-China ties. The answer: no. However, if you ask yourself the question whether Mamallapuram has succeeded in imparting a sense of balance to the relationship and given it a forward-looking bias, the answer is a resounding yes! ■
There were many specific takeaways from the summit even if there was no resolution of issues that bedevil ties