Manasarovar Yatra: India, China Relations Are Not Back to Normal

What are we to make of the sudden "bonhomie" in India-China relations? The first batch of Indian pilgrims has reached Manasarovar.

- JOYEETA BASU

The Chinese ambassador to India is waxing eloquent about the civilizational links between the two countries. Are we, thus, witnessing a reset in relations that have fallen in hard times post the Galwan valley clash of June 2020? The answer to this would be, at one level, particularly on the surface, "yes"; but deep down the answer is "no". Whatever be the civilizational connections between the two countries, the fact is that normalization along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is still lacking. There may have been a disengagement of troops—even though problems remain—de-escalation has not taken place. China continues to build military and dual use infrastructure on its side of the LAC. Left without any choice, India too has to ramp up its infrastructure along the LAC. Moreover, there are credible reports that China has augmented its troops by 30% in the Tibetan region, directly facing India. Hence, India continues to be in the crosshairs of Chinese military target.