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Foreign ministers

India and China Rebuild Relations After Yearslong Standoff

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the "steady progress" in improving relations with China after meeting its top diplomat Tuesday following a yearslong standoff between the nuclear-armed Asian powers. Modi noted "respect for each other's interests and sensitiveness" in a statement on social media after meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China's foreign ministry said the countries have entered a "steady development track" and should "trust and support" each other.

Key Takeaways:

  • India and China have agreed to resume direct flights and issuance of journalist visas, and to facilitate business and cultural exchanges, as part of their efforts to rebuild relations.
  • The two countries have entered a "steady development track" and have committed to maintaining peace and tranquility on the border.
  • India's Foreign Ministry said that Wang and national security adviser Ajit Doval discussed "deescalation, delimitation, and boundary affairs," and both sides agreed to resume trade through three points along their 3,488-kilometer (2,167-mile) border.
  • Modi emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility on the border and reiterated India's commitment to a "fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question."
  • The freeze in relations between India and China began to thaw last October when Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone call, the first in three years, and is set to meet again later this month in China to attend the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
  • India's ties with the US are fraying due to a 50% tariff on Indian goods imposed by the Trump administration, which has also encouraged New Delhi's overtures to China.

Statistics:

  • 4 Chinese soldiers and 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the worst violence in decades along the border in 2020.
  • 10s of thousands of security forces were deployed in border areas by both sides after the deadly clash in 2020.
  • Over the past year, India and China have withdrawn additional forces along some border areas and have increased official visits.
  • In recent months, the countries have discussed easing some trade restrictions, movement of citizens, and visas for businesspeople.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press
  • Observer Research Foundation
  • China's Foreign Ministry
  • India's Foreign Ministry
  • Shanghai Cooperation Organization

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