(Current Affairs) India and The World | December: 2014

India & The World

Negotiated Resolution of the border Issue

  • China has called for a negotiated resolution of the border issue with India, shifting the focus on the root cause of the problem, following the latest incidents in Chumar and Demchok, along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

  • In dealing with a complex relationship, with areas of agreement and differences, the Chinese appear to have pitched for a wide-ranging dialogue with India in the hope of building consensus.

  • In response to a question on the Maritime Silk Road (MSR) — an initiative, which many of its critics say has an element of Beijing’s alleged India-containment strategy — the spokesman said China and India should build consensus on this subject, based on dialogue.

  • Chinese officials say the latest initiatives of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st century MSR will carry forward the earlier spirit of the peaceful exchanges between China and its neighbours along the ancient super-highway, linking Asia with Europe.

BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) corridor

  • India has warmed to the idea of the BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) corridor that could prove to be a game-changer in regional linkages among the four countries.
  • The BCIM corridor, long promoted by China, is intended to link Kunming to Kolkata, Mandalay (Myanmar), Dhaka and Chittagong.
  • It is intended to advance multi-modal connectivity, harness economic complementarities, promote investment and trade and facilitate people-to-people contacts.

Key to Xi Jinping’s visit to India

  • 20 MoUs and agreements are expected to be signed by the two countries on issues related to infrastructure development, cultural ties among others during Mr. Xi’s visit.

  • Beijing is expected to push its new-generation APC1000 nuclear reactors. The two leaders are expected to discuss the possibility of a civil nuclear cooperation agreement.

  • Is the Gujarat model, the way forward for India-China ties? Gujarat has been among the biggest destinations for Chinese investment in India, with Beijing looking to take forward plans to set up industrial parks in India, in part based on its experience in Gujarat.

  • India has warmed up to the idea of the BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) corridor. Long promoted by China, BCIM is intended to link Kunming to Kolkata, Mandalay (Myanmar), Dhaka and Chittagong. It is intended to advance multi-modal connectivity, harness economic complementarities, promote investment and trade, and facilitate people-to-people contacts.

  • China has amplified the pitch on its vision of the Maritime Silk Road (MSR) amid the repositioning of American forces in the Asia-Pacific and an emerging trade deal between Washington and its traditional regional allies.

  • Over $10 billion investment is expected from China during Mr. Xi’s visit. Currently, Chinese investment in India stands at $400 million.

  • ‘Progress has been made in the negotiations on the boundary question, and the two sides have worked together to maintain peace in the border area,’ wrote the Chinese Premier in connection with the decades-old border issues that have marred Sino-Indo ties for long.

  • President Xi’s visit may provide Narendra Modi a rare chance to seize the moment by stating India’s political intent on solving the border row between the two countries, beginning with measurable steps to clarify the Line of Actual Control, and to root out border incidents.

  • With India and China deciding to mark 2014 as a “year of friendly exchanges”, talks on the issue of stapled visas might figure in the meeting.

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