Narendra Modi-Xi Jinping meeting fails to set road map for border dispute

Even as the meeting between the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was high on bonhomie and the economics, it didn't yield much on politics, failing to set a road map to settle border disputes in order to stop incursions. During delegation level and later one-to-one talks, Modi did emphasize to resume the stalled process of clarifying the Line of Actual Control (LAC), but sources said, the Chinese as usual underlined to settle borders permanently rather spending energies on settling the LAC, which, according to them, after all shall remain a temporary arrangement. India for many years has been vying for demarcating the LAC, as a first stop to set up permanent borders, as it has done with other difficult neighbour Pakistan on the western side of Jammu and Kashmir by successfully demarcating the LoC, which remain open to negotiations.

Immediately after talks, Modi told reporter that he raised serious concern over repeated incidents along the border. "We agreed that peace and tranquility in the border region constitutes an essential foundation for mutual trust and confidence and for realizing the full potential of our relationship. This is an important understanding, which should be observed diligently," he said, even as in Ladkah, reports said the Army has seemingly chosen to escalate its response to the repeated PLA incursions by increasing its border patrols and positioning more troops in Chumar.

Prime Minister, who read his remarks in Hindi said he had suggested to revive the stalled process of the clarification of the LAC to contribute to maintain peace and tranquillity. During the meeting, he also raised the concerns relating to China's visa policy that relates to issuing stabled visas to citizens of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir and also trans-border rivers notably Brahamputra and Indus. "I am confident that their satisfactory resolution would take mutual trust to a new level," he said.

There was, however, no commitment from Chinese President to demarcate the LAC, but he said both countries were capable for effectively managing the border situation. "Both sides are capable of effectively managing the border situation and to settle the border disputes at the earliest," he said, adding his country was sincere and the issue should be settled in a manner that it does not have an impact on ties.

Modi claimed he has secured commitment from Chinese President on other issues of concern related to slowdown in trade, worsening trade imbalance and also facilitating market access and investment opportunities for Indian companies in China. He, however, emphasized that a that a climate of mutual trust and confidence; respect for each other's sensitivities and concerns; and, peace and stability in our relations and along our borders was essential to realize the potential in relations. Both countries have also agreed to begin from next year a process of discussions on civil nuclear energy cooperation. China which is a new entrant to the 1000 MW nuclear technology club says it could provide cheaper nuclear reactors compared to Japan and other countries. China has 15 nuclear power-generating units, most built with foreign technology, in operation with a total installed capacity of 12.54 GW and the country hopes to build 200 nuclear plants besides speeding up construction of 29 new plants currently being built.

Both sides, however, showed a considerable understanding on the need of peace and stability in the region particularly in Afghanistan after the exit of NATO forces. They agreed to build a closer cooperation to challenge terrorism and extremism both in the region as well as global level.

Major take away from this visit for the Prime Minister would be China agreeing to open up a new route through Nathu-La to Kailash Mansarovar, in addition to the existing route through Uttarakhand. Another significant outcome is the agreements on two Chinese industrial parks in India and a commitment to realize about 20 billion U.S. dollars of Chinese investments in the next five years. The new Kailash Mansarovar route is accessible by a motorable road, which is especially beneficial to the older pilgrims. It offers a safer alternative in the rainy season as well, makes the pilgrimage shorter in duration, and will enable a much higher number of pilgrims to go for pilgrimage. "China will setup industrial park in Gujarat and also in Maharashtra. We talked about development in railways, encourage improvement of speed of the trains between Chennai and Mysore," Chinese President said.