New Delhi: India and China are likely to face challenges in their bilateral relations for the foreseeable future, but these issues can be managed without escalating into conflict, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Wednesday.
His remarks come amid ongoing efforts to stabilize ties between the two neighboring powers following a deadly clash in 2020 along their disputed Himalayan border. The skirmish resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops, triggering a prolonged standoff that strained diplomatic and economic relations. However, both nations reached an agreement in October to ease border tensions, marking a step toward de-escalation.
The fallout from the dispute extended beyond military concerns, affecting trade, technology cooperation, and even air travel between the two countries.
“We know that, between India and China… at least in the foreseeable future, there will be issues, but there are ways of addressing those issues, and what happened in 2020 was not the way,” Jaishankar said during a discussion hosted by the Asia Society.
Glad to converse with @AsiaSocietyCEO Dr Kyung-wha Kang this evening in Delhi.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 26, 2025
Discussed the paradigm shift underway, the new US Administration, multipolar Asia, trade, technology and Indian approach to the world order.@AsiaSociety https://t.co/3nhO8Tk9TM pic.twitter.com/vtyGJtjhO9
Reinforcing this stance, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently emphasized the need to restore “trust, enthusiasm, and energy” in relations with China while ensuring that differences do not escalate into disputes.
“We feel that from October… the relationship has seen some improvement… what we are trying, step by step, is to see if we can rebuild, undo some of the damage which happened as a result of the actions in 2020,” Jaishankar added.
In conversation with Dr. Kyung-wha Kang of @AsiaSociety.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 26, 2025
https://t.co/0pb2p6gIv2
India and China share a 3,800 km (2,400-mile) border that has remained a point of contention since the 1950s, even leading to a brief but intense war in 1962. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations, unresolved disputes continue to challenge stability in the region.
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In a significant diplomatic move, Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first formal talks since 2020 on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia last year. During the meeting, both leaders agreed to strengthen communication, enhance cooperation, and work toward resolving conflicts to improve bilateral ties.
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As diplomatic channels remain open, both nations are navigating the complexities of their relationship with an emphasis on dialogue and stability.
