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Article:
- Atul Aneja, Hindu’s China correspondent, highlighted that ‘two plus one’ formula, synergized by India and China, can become the template for the rise of South Asia.
Important facts:
2. India-China ties have been rising in recent times.
3. In this background, the proposed “2 plus 1” formula (“China & India” plus “another”) could further enhance the overall regional prosperity.
4. Nepal’s influence on Indo-China ties:
- Nepal’s ties with India had come under severe strain in 2015 due to the border blockade that chocked off critical supplies.
- At that time, Nepal and its political leadership started enhancing ties with China to counterbalance India and overcome the strain.
- Nepal was proving to be a new hurdle in the Indo-China ties, during the 2017 Dokhlam standoff.
- Despite all this, Indo-China ties have been improving drastically after the Wuhan summit between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi held recently.
- In this context, Nepal quickly grasped that playing the India versus China card wasn’t feasible any further.
- They are currently displaying diplomatic prudence by maintaining cordial relations with both India and China.
- Also, a Chinese delegation that visited Nepal is said to have proposed the “2 plus 1 formula” for Indo-China-Nepal talks ahead.
5. Post-Wuhan:
- Lines of “strategic communications” have opened up between the India and China.
- The arterial flow of information exchange has meant that both nations can be joint custodians rather than rivals in managing shared interests.
- “2 plus 1” which has been currently proposed by China to deal with Nepal, can possibly be extended to other international engagements too.
- Beijing and New Delhi could engage with any third country in the region, wherever, the competition between the two is to be avoided.
6. Way ahead:
- The ball is now in India’s court to respond to China’s two-plus one formulation.
- By grasping, the two plus one opening, India will have the opportunity to join and sharp the conversation of co-developing Nepal in a trust-building partnership with China.
- The step would be good indication for both India and China to further boost up their ties.
- The two plus one formula can became the template for the peaceful rise of South Asia, synergized by India and China as the twin engines of regional growth.
