Manmohan Singh visit to China (23rd Octber,2013): Deals, Implications, Concerns

Manmohan Singh visit to China (23rd Octber,2013): Deals, Implications, Concerns for India


* Prologue

* The Pacts

* Border defence cooperation agreement (BDCA)

* Deal on trans-border rivers

* Estabishment of 3 sister cities in India and China


* Missed deals

* Stapled visa issue

* Brahmaputra Row

* Ever burgeoning bilateral trade deficit

* Economic corridor BMIC

Prologue:
India and China are the two most populous nations on earth, with 1/3rd of world population living here. Despite ups and downs in relation between the two countries, the bilateral ties are unique in nature. Neighbours with a long history of cultural, spiritual and economic ties, both nations are engaged in a process of socio-economic transformation of the people on a scale and at a pace unprecedented in human history.
Manmohan Singh said, When India and China shake hands, the world notices.
Chinese Premier Li Kequiang said, A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.

India signed 9 new agreements for a much better and improved relationship with China.

The Pacts:
Important Deals signed are,

* BDCA.

* Strengthen co operation on Trans Border Rivers.

* Estabishment of 3 sister cities in India and China.

* Establishment of Nalanda University at Rajgir (Bihar), China is a participating country in the project.


* Strengthen mutual cultural ties.

* Improve road transport and highways, for mutual communications.

* To hold counter-terrorism joint training in China + discussion on Pakistans role in nurturing terrorism.

* MOU allowing China to establish a service and maintainence center, for power plants sold by it to India.

* In an innovative move, India has offered to allow Chinese companies to modernise two Indian Railway stations + seeking Chinese involvement in speed and freight management in India.


* Border defence cooperation agreement (BDCA)


* Possibly most important of all issues.

* Considering the fact of recent Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) transgressions of LAC at Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), and Chumar in Ladakh, when around 30 PLA soldiers came within 18 km of Indian Territory and raised tents.

* Indian army personnel also raised tents facing Chinese ones, and situation became worse with each passing day.

* Later the standoff came to an end after the PLA soldiers returned on the other side of LAC.

* There was a huge hue and cry from India to review the issues along LAC. While some experts in India believed that it might be a new tactic from the newly selected Chinese leadership to coerce India on signing the new BDCA, and defuse tensions along LAC on their terms.

* But what we see in the newly signed BDCA is quite different. The aim is to improve communications between the 2 armies.

Important points include:

1. Outlines of new Confidence Building Measures (CBM)s, like a hotline between the military Head Quarters of both nations.
NB: India has expressed to connect her DGMO to a top PLA general in Beijing, and not to the Commander-in-Charge of local PLA responsible for manning borders.

1. NO TAILING of each others patrols.
Significant because in recent instances, local patrols would follow patrols of rival armies to disputed areas. Thus triggering a face-off.

1. Both armies will exercise maximum self restraint, if a face- to-face situation happens.


1. Also a right to seek Clarifications from the other side if a doubtful situation arises.



1. Additional border personnel meeting points, and meeting to be more frequent.
Also telephone contacts and telecommunication links at mutually agreed locations along the line of actual control (LAC).


1. Exchange of information including information about military exercises, aircrafts, demolition operations and unmarked mines.
Take consequent measures conducive to the maintenance of peace, stability and tranquility along the line of actual control (LAC).


1. Jointly combat smuggling of arms, wildlife items, contraband etc.


1. Assist each other in locating personnel, livestock, and means of transport, aerial vehicles that may have crossed LAC or on the verge of crossing.

4057 km long LAC separates Jammu and Kashmir from Chinese territory, and Mcmohan Line marks national boundaries of India from Chinese in Arunachal Pradesh.
In a nutshell, this BDCA provides a robust protocol to reduce tensions amongst mutual armies of both sides and focus on building trusts.


1. Deal on trans-border rivers

An important step to resolve disputes between the two nations, arising out of damming of Brahmaputras upper reaches and some of its tributaries in China.
India has always been wary of this move that it wud hurt the natural flow of Brahmaputra waters, thus depriving India of its waters and also increased instances of floods in north-east India.
The important steps signed are :

1. Strengthen cooperation on trans-border rivers.

2. China to provide richer hydrological data on Brahmaputra (Yaluzangbu), during flood season from May-October. Previously it was supposed to provide data from June-October.

3. Assurance from Beijing, that its dams are run of the river project, and not designed to hold water.



1. Estabishment of 3 sister cities in India and China

China has been asking this for past several years.
3 Indian and Chinese cities have been paired under a sister city programme. They are-

* Delhi & Beijing

* Bangaluru & Chengdu (Both pairs are connected through air service and major Wipro investment destinations)

* Kolkata & Kunming (connected through air, travelling time only 2.5 hours)
This will allow them for more easy mutual connections and learn from each other.

Missed deals:


1. Stapled visa issue
People of Arunachal Pradesh still to get stapled visas instead of original ones.
No specific commitment made by China. Instead, Chinese said the situation had improved a lot from the past, when no people from Arunachal was supposed to get Chinese visa!


* What is Stapled visa?
In 2008, China began to issue visas on loose sheets of paper, instead of issuing on passport.
It was for residents of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir > drawing Indias anger.
Later in 2012 it stopped the same for people of Jammu, but continues it for Arunachal residents.




* Why in news recently?
Two young archers from Arunachal Pradesh were set to travel to Yuxi in Southern China, for a youth world championship tournament. They were issued stapled visas, and were not allowed to board their flight from New Delhi.
Although, Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed regrets, but also said they wouldnt change their position in this matter.
India has always protested such Chinese moves, which violates her sovereignty. Thus India has decided not to allow any of her citizens, who is issued stapled visa travel to China.


1. Brahmaputra Row -
The huge number of dams being built on Brahmaputra and on smaller rivers that flow into India from Tibet > concern forIindia, but China reluctant to even share minimum data on such construction.
India fears of downstream flooding during rains, thus both civilian and military risks in north-east India.



1. Ever burgeoning bilateral trade deficit -

* Bilateral trade value in 2012 was 66 bn USD

* Indias exports to China declined 23% in 2012.

* Thus trade deficit was 28bn USD.

* Indias major imports from China are machinery, Power and Telecom equipment, Sound Equipment, iron & steel, Organic chemicals etc.

* While Chinas major imports from India are iron ore, slag & ash, Cotton yarn, plastic, salt, few machineries, fabric, copper and precious stones.


1. Economic corridor BMIC(Bangladesh Myanmar India China)
India sought more time from Chinese, to study the prospect more closely.


1. Beijing wants to establish infrastructure parks for businesses in India.
India seemed agreeable, but still wants to examine the issue, instead of diving in haste.

by NEELANJAY SARKAR
References:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/China-hails-Manmohans-three-day-visit-as-great-success/articleshow/24667128.cms
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/india-china-not-to-use-force-in-case-of-faceoffs/article5266608.ece
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=100218
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_do_you_mean_by_stapled_visa
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/china-defends-stapled-visa-move-regrets-athletes-couldnt-come/article5233945.ece