BRICS: India, China pledge to resolve border

The whole world really watches when India meets China because till date they have not been able to arrive on a peaceful conflict resolution. The boundary disputes have escalated tension between the two nations for almost five decades. The importance of the meet between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping is to strengthen mutual trust, confidence and maintain peace and tranquility on the border.

APEC invitation

In a significant development at BRICS between the two nations, for the first time China invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the APEC(Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit. APEC is a summit of 21 nations established in 1989 to promote economic cooperation and free trade in Asia-pacific region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attendance at APEC summit will have significant impact on the economic development of the the worlds most populated nations. With China being the second largest economy in the world, no doubt the meet will help India boom its trade relations with the neighbouring country.

"We think this is a significant gesture, this is an important invitation that has been extended to India, and this will be given very serious due consideration," said MEA spokesperson Akbaruddin. "President Xi also mentioned that China is hosting an APEC meeting in November this year. He said meeting is focused on ‘partnership and connectivity'. He (Xi) invited the Prime Minister to attend this important APEC meeting that China is hosting...we did not get the dates but I think that is in November," Akbaruddin added.

How far the talks will be successful?

In their 80 minutes of free-wheeling discussion between the two nations, the two leaders discussed various issues with border dispute and arriving on peaceful conflict resolution being the top priority.

"Had a very fruitful meeting with Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping. We discussed a wide range of issues," Modi tweeted after the meeting Xi.

"Both sides emphasized on the need to find a solution to the Boundary Question. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of strengthening mutual trust and confidence, and maintaining peace and tranquility on the border," said a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

India, China engaged in territorial dispute over 4,000-km Himalayan border

But how far these talk will be successful, thats the big question. The two sides have held 17 rounds of the Special Representative talks aimed at resolving the boundary issue. In the last UPA Government several efforts and meetings were held to manage their border-related differences but the two nations have not been able to arrive on any consensus on mutually acceptance of boundary settlement. Even though the Panchsheel Pact is no more significant the need of the hour is to revive the five principles of the peaceful coexistence. The two nation should also share a common destiny of unlimited possibilities for growth.

Territorial disputes

India and China has long been in engaged in territorial dispute over 4,000-km(2,500-mile) Himalayan border. This tension between the two nations has been going on since 1962 and till date they have not arrived on any peaceful conflict resolution.

India asserts that the border dispute covered nearly 4,057-km long Line of Actual Control, while China claims that it confined to about 2,000 km to the area of Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers as Southern Tibet.

"Xi suggested the two sides manage, control and handle differences with a positive and forward-looking attitude and find fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solutions to their border issues at an early date," Xinhua news agency quoted Chinese President as saying.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet

In a bid to increase tourism between the two ancient civilizations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested of one more route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet which can help tourist from the having another option from the present difficult terrain. The China on the other hand have put the proposal under consideration.

Challenges between two nations

The meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jingping can set an example for the entire BRICS nations as the territorial dispute between them have going on for over five decades. With China being the second largest economy and a big competition for US in Asia, improving bilateral and economic relations is one of the top priority.

New Delhi should also make an effort to build trade relation with China and FDI in Indian infrastructure projects is also needed for the development.

The Chinese President willingness to work with new Indian Government can lead to enhancement of economic cooperation.

"I am willing to work together with Prime Minister Modi to constantly enhance the China-India strategic and cooperative partnership to a higher level, and jointly safeguard our strategic period of opportunities, as well as peace and stability of the region and the world at large," Chinese President Xi Jingping was quoted as saying by China's official Xinhua news agency.

The crucial meet of the two leaders at a global platform can be described as good discussion only when the two leaders pledge to resolve their border dispute.