Following the meeting between the Indian and Chinese defense ministers in Moscow on Saturday during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the foreign ministers of the two countries are now expected to meet on September 10.
Separate statements were issued by the two countries following a meeting between Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fengkha on Saturday in the wake of alarming tensions between the two Asian nuclear powers over the disputed Ladakh region. They pledged to reduce tensions peacefully.
This was the first face-to-face meeting between the two countries at the highest level since the military tensions in eastern Ladakh began in May this year. There have been several meetings between senior military officials before, but no results have been forthcoming.
On June 15 this year, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a hand-to-hand battle between the two countries' troops in the Gulwan Valley. There were also reports of casualties on the Chinese side in the fighting, but China did not officially confirm this.
The meeting between the two countries' defense ministers took place at a Moscow hotel on Saturday and lasted more than two hours. There is a lot of contradiction in the statements that came out after the meeting.
Ladakh, photo source EPA
China's state-run newspaper Global Times, also considered a spokesman for the Chinese government, said in an editorial published on Sunday that the meeting between the two countries' defense ministers took place on September 10. And Indian Foreign Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar has provided a solid basis for the meeting.
The Global Times described the meeting as a "positive development" and said that China and India, two major nuclear powers and capable of deploying large numbers of troops along their borders, should realize that borders Determining matters cannot be decided in one or two meetings.
Emphasizing the need to work with patience and forbearance, the newspaper said that there are two points that need to be clarified. The first is that the border between the two countries, known as the Line of Actual Control, has not been determined and should not change day by day.
The most important thing that this newspaper has said in this regard is that this border dispute should be resolved on the basis of the border of November 7, 1959.
The newspaper warned that if the two countries continue to make changes to the LAC voluntarily, then there is a risk of a confrontation which could have very serious consequences.
While acknowledging the seriousness and complexity of the border dispute, the agency said that another important point is that China and India are two developing economies that attach great importance to their economic development. And the nature of the relationship between the two countries will have a profound effect on their economic development.
The agency added that relations between the two countries should not be viewed solely in the light of the border dispute and should be handled wisely.
What is the role of Tibet, the so-called "roof of the world", in the Sino-Indian border dispute?
In 2017, before the clash between the Chinese and Indian armies in Ladakh on June 15, the armed forces of the two nuclear powers also came face to face in the Doklam area.
The dispute between China and India stretches from Ladakh in the west to Doklam in the east, Nathula and the Tawang Valley in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. China has always been keeping an eye on the Tuang area of Arunachal Pradesh and calling it a disputed area.
China considers Tuang to be part of Tibet and says that there are many cultural similarities between Tuang and Tibet. Tuan is also a holy shrine for Buddhists.
When the Dalai Lama visited Tuang's monastery, China also opposed it.
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Chinese President, photo source GETTY IMAGES
Even when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh in February this year, China formally protested against the visit.
Along with Tibet, China also claims Arunachal Pradesh and calls it South Tibet. The border between Arunachal Pradesh and China is hundreds of kilometers long.
China took control of Tibet in 1951, while India claims that Arunachal Pradesh is part of India along the McMahon Line drawn during the British rule in 1938.
History of Tibet
This remote area in northeastern India is predominantly Buddhist and is also called the roof of the world. Tibet is an independent part of China.
China says it has ruled the region for centuries, while many Tibetans remain loyal to their exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
In the eyes of the Dalai Lama's followers, he has the status of a 'living god', while China considers him a separatist and a threat to himself.
Tibet's history has been tumultuous. At one time it was an independent state and at other times it was ruled by powerful rulers of Mongolia and China.
Chinese army, photo source SEAN CHANG
In 1950, China sent thousands of troops to occupy Tibet. Some areas of Tibet were converted into autonomous regions, and the rest were merged with the adjoining Chinese provinces.
But after a failed uprising against China in 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama had to leave Tibet and seek refuge in India, where he formed a government in exile. Most Buddhist monasteries in Tibet were destroyed during the Chinese Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s.
When did the Sino-Tibetan conflict begin?
The reason for the dispute between China and Tibet is the legal status of Tibet. China says Tibet has been part of China since the mid-13th century. However, Tibetans say Tibet has been an independent country for centuries and that China has no right to it.
The Mongol king Kublai Khan extended his royal Yuan dynasty and empire not only to Tibet but also to China, Vietnam and Korea.
Then, in the 17th century, Tibet established relations with the Qing Dynasty of China. After a relationship of 260 years, the Chung army captured Tibet. But within three years it was expelled from Tibet, and in 1912 the Dalai Lama declared Tibet's independence.
Then, in 1951, the Chinese army regained control of Tibet and signed an agreement with Tibet to hand over Tibetan sovereignty to China.
The Dalai Lama moved to India and has been pushing for Tibetan sovereignty ever since.
Lhasa: A Forbidden City
When China occupied Tibet in 1949, it was completely isolated from the outside world. Chinese troops deployed in Tibet. Interference was made in the political government due to which the Dalai Lama had to flee and take refuge in India.
Then an attempt was made to turn Tibet into Chinese. Attempts were made to gradually change the Tibetan language, civilization, religion and traditions. No outsiders were allowed to enter Tibet and the capital, Lhasa. That is why it is also called the 'Forbidden City'.
Foreigners were banned from entering Tibet in 1963, but in 1971 Tibet's doors were opened to foreigners.
The Dalai Lama, photo source AFP
The role of the Dalai Lama
The history of China and the Dalai Lama is the history of China and Tibet.
In 1409, J. Sakhampa founded the Jellog School. The teachings of Buddhism were spread through this school.
This place was between India and China which is known as Tibet. The most famous student of the same school was Gendon Drup.
Ball went on to become the first Dalai Lama. Buddhists consider the Dalai Lama to be very important. He is seen as a beacon of compassion and empathy and on the other hand his supporters see him as a leader.
The Dalai Lama is primarily seen as a religious guru. Lama means Guru. The lama instructs his people to follow the path of truth. He guides Buddhists all over the world.
Dalai Lama, photo source GETTY IMAGES
There has been fighting between Buddhist and Tibetan leaders since the unification in the 1630s. There has been a power struggle between Manchu, Mongol and Oirat.
Finally, the Fifth Dalai Lama succeeded in uniting Tibet. At the same time, Tibet has emerged as a strong cultural entity.
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