DELHI: The Dec. 18 conference between China’s Wang Yi and India’s Ajit Doval on December 18, 2024 marked a significant step in the direction of normalization of relations between the two nations.  ,
This was the 23rd gathering of the Special Reps. The next took place in December 2019, following which the harsh Galwan conflicts of 2020 entirely offset India-China relationships. The two sides ‘ efforts to establish mutual respect and confidence-building measures ( CBMs) totaled as a result of the clashes, leading to a border military standoff.
The 75th commemoration of India and China’s first diplomatic ties annihilates in 2025. Yet, even after years of debate, the India-China borders continues to be disputed.  ,
Even though it has been demonstrated time and time again that the matter has the capacity to disrupt diplomatic relations between the two countries, there hasn’t been any real change in this. The CBMs’ weakness was also demonstrated by the Galwan clashes.  ,
UNDER THE DIPLOMATIC Facade
Following the Line of Actual Control’s monitoring quality in October, which caused some lowering of anxiety and withdrawal, the Dec. 18 meeting took place.  ,
However, the appointment does provide some hope for India-China relations, and it cannot ignore the country’s history and the challenges that lie ahead.  ,
The Chinese’s release of a” six-point consensus” following the meeting underscores this point, which the Indian part has not been quite pleasant accepting in its entirety. Importantly, yet after Beijing stated that it was eager and ready to work with India to resolve a problem, no joint declaration from the two parties was released at the conclusion of the meeting.
According to a statement from the Chinese foreign government, any resolution to the boundary dispute may be “fair, fair, and acceptable to both sides” and “both sides agreed to continue taking steps to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas and to promote the healthy and robust development of diplomatic relations.” Additionally, it stated that the frontier problem would be put in the “appropriate place,” without providing any specifics or clarifications regarding what this position entails.  ,
Beijing also expressed a desire to “delink the frontier issue from diplomatic relations,” as it has been doing so since the Galwan problems.  ,