The other issue on the table is to operationalise the hotline at the level of the director generals of military operations (DGMOs) between both sides

China’s Western Theatre Command will send a delegation to India in the next couple of months, signalling the start of the high-level military exchanges between India and China that had stalled ahead of the Doklam stand-off.

This was decided at the recent visit of Maj Gen Ci Guowei, head of China’s international military cooperation wing, who was sent following the understanding between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Wuhan informal summit. Both sides agreed to resume visits with China commencing this round. India will also send a reciprocal visit from one of its commands bordering China.

The Western Theatre Command was earlier the Tibet Command, situated opposite Ladakh. China upgraded the status in 2016, following a reorganisation of its military structure.

The exchange of visits will be followed by defence secretary-level dialogue between both sides at the earliest, which is expected to set the ball rolling on the calendar of events in the military-to-military cooperation segment. This will include joint military exercises.

The other issue on the table is to operationalise the hotline at the level of the director generals of military operations (DGMOs) between both sides. On this, negotiations have to resume. It had hit a dead end after China said it needed at least 48 hours-notice before a call is made.

At first, China was of the view that any call should be initiated through the Chinese embassy in New Delhi. When India said this would defeat the purpose of hotline, other modalities were explored.

However, practical problems like having an interpreter available at all times in case of an urgent call has also added to the complication.

Despite this, both sides are confident that a resolution will be found in line with the Wuhan spirit so that stand-offs can be avoided or managed better in the future.