Sameer Patil, associate fellow for national security, ethnic conflict and terrorism studies at Gateway House, comments on security issues to be discussed during Modi’s visit to China.
Borders and security will be an important part of Prime Minister Modi’s discussions with President Xi Jinping during his visit to China from 14-16 May. Sameer Patil, associate fellow for national security, ethnic conflict and terrorism at Gateway House, comments on the border dispute between the two countries, counter-terrorism cooperation and India’s concerns about the One Belt-One Road project.
Statement:
“India’s border dispute with China will be on top of the security agenda during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with President Xi Jinping. India’s national security advisors and China’s state councilors have had eighteen rounds of special representative-level talks since 2003. These negotiations have led to agreements outlining the parameters for resolving the border dispute. However, due to repeated border incursions by the Chinese PLA troops, border management has become the focus of these negotiations, rather than border dispute resolution.
Stapled visas issued by China to the residents of Arunachal Pradesh have cast a shadow over people-to-people exchange programmes, and diminished the possibility of signing a visa liberalisation agreement between the two countries. The issue of stapled visas is also likely to be discussed during the visit – its resolution hinges on the progress of the border dispute negotiations.
Counter-terrorism will also be on the agenda during the visit. China is currently battling its own growing problem of terrorism in the Xinjiang province. Since 2007, India and China have been holding a joint anti-terrorism training drill called ‘Exercise Hand-in-Hand’ which has proved to be a good confidence-building measure.
China recently announced the One Belt-One Road (OBOR) initiative, in which the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be a flagship project. The CPEC is a major concern for India, and is likely to be discussed during the bilateral talks. The CPEC directly affects India’s security interests because it passes through Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan – India has steadfastly opposed any international involvement in these areas.”
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