As we enter the new year, India and China are poised at an ambiguous juncture in their relations. There has been a thaw after an extended period of turbulence since the summer of 2020, but its structural impediments persist. Disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh has been achieved, but military deployment in abnormally high numbers continues for the fifth successive winter; the process of de-escalation has not commenced yet. The paradigm governing the relationship for over three decades, already enfeebled, broke down in 2020, and the quest for a new equilibrium has an uncertain prognosis, with no agreed road map available.
There was a flurry of meaningful high-level meetings in the last quarter of 2024, including between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at Kazan on October 23, between the external affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and foreign minister Wang Yi at Rio de Janeiro on November 18, and the resumption of the dialogue between the special representatives (SRs) after five years with national security advisor Ajit Doval meeting his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing on December 18. Relations have stabilized but are still not normal.
In his statement in Lok Sabha on December 3, the EAM was correct in not suggesting a major forward movement in India-China relations, indicating instead that recent developments have set bilateral ties in the direction of "some improvement" and adding that the conclusion of the disengagement phase "allows us to consider other aspects of our bilateral engagement in a calibrated manner, keeping our national security interests first and foremost." He was right in not encouraging the suggestion coming from certain quarters about a "reset" in India-China relations.
This story is from the January 05, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Noida.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 05, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Noida.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I've done a lot of TV, and I was tired, so I left it, as one tends to lose excitement, says Aamir Ali
Actor Aamir Ali has been a regular face on television for just a little under two decades, having been part of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kya Dil Mein Hai and FIR.
Ariana Grande's 'Botox and Juvederm' joke sparks backlash
Singer-actor Ariana Grande, who has received significant praise for her portrayal of Glinda in Wicked (2024), was honoured with the Rising Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival 2025 on January 3.
Allu Arjun Debuts New Look As He Visits Court To Complete Bail Formalities
The actor submitted sureties at a Hyderabad court after being granted bail in connection with the Sandhya Theatre incident, debuting a new look in the process
OTT Has Shifted the Tone: Shreyas on the Missing Magic of Comedies
Shreyas Talpade's journey in cinema began during a golden era for comedy films—one that produced timeless classics including Golmaal (2006), Phir Hera Pheri and Garam Masala (both 2005).
DSP: I was prepared for Kissik and Oo Antava comparisons
As long as you don't let success get to your head, you are not bothered by the outcome,\" says composer Devi Sri Prasad, also known as DSP, who is pleased with the reception of his music for Pushpa 2: The Rule.
Sparks of Trouble for Coldplay Gujarat gig!
Ahead of its highly anticipated India tour, British rock band Coldplay is making headlines again!
Rohit and Virat still have the hunger, says Gambhir
No one in the team will say it, but they are all surely thinking it.
Aubrey's husband, director Jeff Baena, dies by suicide
Actor-comedian Aubrey Plaza is mourning the loss of her husband, director Jeff Baena, who died at the age of 47.
Lebrun brothers, the French connection in Thakkar's rise
Manav Thakkar, India's No.2 male paddler, noticed how the Lebrun brothers, the French siblings who have taken the table tennis world by storm, would \"invent stuff\" after training sessions even as the others would wind down.
Shooter Saurabh rediscovers his touch at Nationals
For five years from 2018, Saurabh Chaudhary would hold his Morini pistol so steady and shoot with such precision that it was assumed the prodigiously talented youngster would win an Olympic medal for India.