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However, the diplomatic process is now being furthered through consultations, and for the first time, India and China had bilateral consultations under the ambit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation from April 16-17, 2023. Though not much was expected, the fact that these consultations took place shows a new approach to stabilizing the relationship after several years of animosity.

This recent development can be traced back to the events of 2020 when there was a major flare-up on the border in eastern Ladakh, resulting in a deterioration in relations to its lowest level in decades. Despite intermittent military and diplomatic consultations, not much has been achieved since then. This recent attempt by both countries to engage bilaterally under the aegis of the SCO can be seen as a new approach.

According to officials representing both sides, the talks were characterized as “constructive” and “forward looking,” underlining the significance of peaceful relations along the LAC. No ground-breaking agreements seem to have been reached, but the focus of the discussions was clearly practical in nature, as the participants emphasized ways of de-escalating tensions through increased dialogue and mutual understanding. Measures aimed at building confidence, which included better coordination among military commanders and procedures for troop disengagement, were apparently key talking points.

However, what makes the SCO context intriguing is its status as a regional body consisting of Eurasian countries, most notably Russia and the countries of Central Asia. The inclusion of the SCO in the picture means that there is a venue for diplomatic interaction beyond traditional frameworks, one in which the scope of interests may be wider than simply the bilateral, competitive relationship between India and China.

According to analysts, both countries have incentives for stabilizing their relations due to the fact that India wants a peaceful relationship with China when it is focusing on development. China, on the other hand, would like to achieve stability in its southwestern part and does not want to overextend itself as a result.

However, there are also doubts about the possibility of achieving some sort of progress during this round of negotiations due to the fact that such issues as the border dispute and distrust remain unsettled. Additionally, previous rounds of negotiations have sometimes ended in tensions, leading people to speculate that this time may not be an exception. It is also worth mentioning the lack of timelines and verifiable commitments in public statements regarding the talks.

Nevertheless, one should not overlook the symbolic meaning of the meeting. Dialogue is one of the ways of ensuring that nothing escalates between two nuclear-armed states. Through engaging in talks, both India and China show that they realize that their constant confrontation is against their interests.

Going forward, it will depend upon turning diplomatic talk into reality. Ongoing discussions, transparency on the part of activities on the border, and commitment to previously agreed-upon protocols will be important signs of success. The SCO can serve as a medium for such talks, although the ultimate responsibility for improvement lies with the two countries.

Given the volatile nature of Central Asia and the competition that has come with it, the resumption of dialogue is always a significant development, whether the dialogue proves productive or not. It remains to be seen whether the April 16-17 talks will lead to some sort of breakthrough, but at the very least, the channel of communication has been opened once again.

At the moment, the only thing that really matters is that dialogue has started again, despite any problems that might exist.

Team Yuva Aaveg-

Adarsh Tiwari

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