Will the SCO Summit mark a turning point in the India–China equation after Galwan?

India–China Relations:

1. Historical Background

• Ancient ties: Buddhism, Silk Road trade, cultural exchanges.
• Modern phase: Panchsheel Agreement (1954), Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai → Collapse after 1962 war.
• Post-1976: Diplomatic normalization after 1976; Rajiv Gandhi’s 1988 visit reset ties.

2. Core Areas of Cooperation

1. Trade & Economy
   • China is one of India’s top trading partners.
   • Major imports: electronics, telecom, pharmaceuticals APIs.
   • India’s concerns: widening trade deficit (~$100 bn).
2. Multilateral Forums
   • BRICS, SCO, RIC (Russia–India–China), G20.
   • Climate change, WTO reform, global South representation.
3. Infrastructure & Connectivity
   • China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) opposed by India (esp. CPEC passing through PoK).
   • BCIM corridor stalled due to tensions.
4. People-to-People Contacts
   • Academic, cultural, tourism links (though weakened post-COVID & Galwan).

3. Key Issues & Challenges

1. Boundary Dispute
   • 3,488 km long Line of Actual Control (LAC).
   • Western sector: Aksai Chin (dispute since 1962).
   • Eastern sector: Arunachal Pradesh (China claims as “South Tibet”).
   • Middle sector: relatively settled.
2. Military Standoffs
   • 1962 war, Doklam crisis (2017), Galwan clashes (2020).
   • Ongoing tensions in Ladakh, Depsang Plains, Demchok.
3. Strategic Concerns
   • China’s “String of Pearls” strategy in Indian Ocean (ports in Gwadar, Hambantota, Djibouti).
   • Deep ties with Pakistan: defence, CPEC.
   • Opposition to India’s UNSC permanent membership and NSG entry.
4. Trade & Technology
   • Dependence on Chinese imports in electronics, pharma, solar.
   • India’s push for Atmanirbhar Bharat & supply-chain diversification.

4. Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs)

• 1993, 1996, 2005 Agreements: Peace and tranquility along LAC.
• Special Representatives’ talks since 2003 for boundary settlement.
• Hotlines, border meetings, disengagement protocols.
• Yet, implementation often questioned (Galwan exposed trust deficit).

5. Recent Developments (2024–25)

1. 2020 setback: Galwan clash soured relations; military standoffs and troop build-up.
2. 2023–24: Limited disengagement at certain LAC points, but Depsang & Demchok unresolved.
3. October 2024: Modi–Xi meeting in Kazan (BRICS Summit, Russia) signaled thaw.
4. Aug 2025 Updates:
   • Chinese FM Wang Yi visit (New Delhi): Called current phase an “important opportunity.”
   • PM Modi: Will meet Xi at SCO Summit (Tianjin); stressed “stable, predictable, constructive ties.”
   • NSA Ajit Doval: Referred to “upward trend” in ties.
   • EAM Jaishankar: Pushed for faster troop withdrawal along LAC; raised issue of terrorism from Pakistan (China’s ally).
   • Invitation from Xi: Modi accepted SCO summit invite → signals renewed high-level engagement.

6. UPSC / Constitutional Stand

• GS-II Relevance: International relations, India’s neighborhood, foreign policy challenges.
• Themes:
  • Sovereignty & Territorial Integrity vs. Economic Interdependence.
  • Balancing Cooperation (BRICS, SCO) with Competition (Indo-Pacific, Quad).
  • India’s strategic autonomy: Engaging both US (Quad, IPEF) and China (BRICS, SCO).

7. Way Forward (Analytical Points for Mains)

1. Boundary settlement: Fair, reasonable, mutually acceptable solution.
2. Economic rebalancing: Reduce deficit, diversify supply chains, promote Indian exports.
3. Strategic balance: Counterbalance through Quad, Indo-Pacific partnerships, while keeping dialogue open.
4. Regional cooperation: Leverage SCO, BRICS for terrorism, climate, economic growth.
5. People-to-people trust: Tourism, education, cultural diplomacy.

Practice Questions

Prelims:

1. Which of the following countries are members of both SCO and BRICS along with India?
   A) China and Russia
   B) China and Kazakhstan
   C) Russia and Pakistan
   D) China and South Africa
2. The term Line of Actual Control (LAC) is used in reference to India’s boundary with:
   A) Pakistan
   B) Nepal
   C) Bhutan
   D) China

Mains:
“India–China relations are marked by deep economic ties but sharp strategic divergences. Discuss in light of the recent diplomatic outreach between the two nations.”