OBSERVER RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Rakesh Sood’s articles entitled, “Writings on the Chinese Wall: Part I and Part II” were originally published by the Observer Research Foundation. Sood discusses the violent clash between the Indian and Chinese soldiers in Galwan Valley. While efforts to reduce military presence and commitment to no “open fire” were made, old and new agreements merely reiterate restraint and do not address the underlying reasons or the need to impose restraints on patrolling. According to Sood, India’s current priority will be to restore the status quo ante by bringing normalcy to the border through deeper analyses of changed political drivers behind China’s behavior and negotiations. Although both sides have taken firm stands, it is in neither party’s interest to escalate matters. Learn more.

“It is clear that 2005 was the high point in terms of registering some forward movement, though incremental, in terms of managing the situation in the border areas. After 2005, summit level meetings have continued to take place regularly and some new agreements were also concluded but these did not further the boundary dispute resolution. The SRs have met regularly but were also unable to register progress on the boundary question. Part of the reason is that in recent years, the agenda of the SR’s talks has expanded and now encompasses the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship as well as exchanging views on regional and global developments, thereby diluting the focus on the core issue.”