The Wuhan breakthrough

The Wuhan breakthrough

Article:

1. 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.