India-China’s Strengthened Ties

India and China have made significant progress in their diplomatic relations by agreeing to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, restore direct flights, and ease visa restrictions. The two countries also agreed to restart discussions on cooperation related to trans-border rivers and the sharing of hydrological data, which China had previously withheld. The upcoming year will also see enhanced efforts in public diplomacy as both nations commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties. 

Key-Points of Agreement

• Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to Resume: India and China have agreed to restart the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which is a pilgrimage that Indian devotees undertake to visit the sacred site in Tibet. This is an important decision for the Hindu community in India.
• Restoration of Direct Flights and Easing Visa Restrictions: Both sides also decided to restore direct flights between India and China, which were disrupted due to the pandemic and other issues. Additionally, visa restrictions will be eased, facilitating travel between the two countries.
• Hydrological Data Sharing Resumed: China had previously withheld important hydrological data about rivers that flow across the border into India, notably data on the Brahmaputra River. The two countries have now agreed to resume sharing this data, addressing concerns in India about China’s construction of a hydropower project on the Brahmaputra in South Tibet.
  • India and China do not have an agreement for sharing of water of transboundary rivers.
  • The two nations had in 2002 and 2005 inked two MoUs, creating frameworks for China to share with India hydrological information during monsoon seasons on Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra/ Siang) and Langqên Tsangpo (Sutlej) respectively.
  • The two MoUs could not be renewed after they expired – one on Sutlej in 2020 and the other on Brahmaputra in 2023 – due to the strains in ties over the military stand-off along the LAC.

Background (Border Tensions and Clashes in Galwan Valley (2020)) 

• In June 2020, the relationship between India and China escalated when violent clashes occurred between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Galwan Valley, located along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh.
  • This resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, and China reported the deaths of four of its soldiers. Following these clashes, both countries deployed thousands of troops and heavy artillery along the LAC.
• Since the Galwan clash, India and China have held multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks to ease the tension along their shared border.
• In October 2023, the two countries reached an agreement on a patrolling arrangement, which led to disengagement in certain areas of eastern Ladakh.
• Recent Developments and Stability: India and China have reached a significant agreement to restore patrolling rights to each in the Depsang Plains and Demchok region, these are areas where the problems are called legacy issues, predating the 2020 Chinese incursions.