Tensions Ease: India and China Engage in New Border Discussions, Yet Struggle with Persistent Trust Issues
India and China have made cautious but tangible improvements in their relations, with the resumption of dialogue on the long-standing boundary dispute, active cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) framework, and resumed economic links.
The 24th round of boundary talks between China's Special Representative Wang Yi and India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval took place in New Delhi on August 19, 2025. Both sides emphasized the importance of implementing earlier common understandings reached by their leaders (Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi) and agreed to maintain trust and support in working towards a resolution.
Regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, India fully supports China’s current SCO Presidency, and Prime Minister Modi attended the 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin as invited by China. Both sides expressed commitment to strengthening cooperation within the SCO, promoting multilateralism, jointly maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas, and upholding a rules-based international system.
Bilateral ties have also seen positive developments beyond security, including agreements to resume direct flights after nearly five years, restarting tourist visa issuance for Chinese citizens, and steps to ease Chinese export restrictions on key Indian industrial goods such as rare earths and minerals critical for India’s manufacturing sectors. Both nations also reaffirmed support for hosting upcoming BRICS summits and expanding people-to-people exchanges by planning meetings for 2026.
However, the India-China land boundary remains a sore point in relations, and until the dispute is finally settled, the chance of another border flare-up remains a constant concern. The boundary talks are significant in themselves, as they send a signal of cautious rapprochement at a moment when the global order is unsettled by US President Donald Trump's tariff offensive.
The unmarked boundary between India and China is the reason for the ongoing dispute between the two nations, dating back to the time of British rule and marked by the McMohan Line in 1914. The boundary talks between India and China started in 2003 and have so far held 24 rounds of negotiations.
The resumption of ties is critical for Asia's two largest countries, as managing relations with China has been one of India's biggest foreign policy challenges. The normalization of ties followed an agreement on disengagement of troops from the last remaining friction points of Depsang and Demchok and on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh.
The Prime Minister 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. India also raised the issue of cross-border terrorism during the talks, particularly in the context of the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir.
China has agreed to resume supplies of fertilisers, rare earth minerals, and tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to India, which are critical for India’s industrial growth. President Xi Jinping handed over a personal message and invitation to Prime Minister Modi for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit being held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1.
In summary, India-China relations remain complex but have entered a phase of cautious rapprochement in 2025, marked by stable boundary talks, active dialogue on multiple fronts, cooperation under SCO, and resumed economic links—all aiming to build trust and preserve regional peace, even as some underlying rivalries persist.
[1] The Economic Times. (2025, August 20). India-China ties show cautious but tangible improvements. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-china-ties-show-cautious-but-tangible-improvements/articleshow/91485502.cms
[2] The Hindu. (2025, August 21). India-China relations: A new era of cooperation begins. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-china-relations-a-new-era-of-cooperation-begins/article32524484.ece
[3] The Times of India. (2025, August 22). India-China ties: Economic links resume after five years. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-china-ties-economic-links-resume-after-five-years/articleshow/91490480.cms
[4] NDTV. (2025, August 23). India-China border talks: Progress made, but challenges remain. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-china-border-talks-progress-made-but-challenges-remain-2515691
[5] India Today. (2025, August 24). India-China relations: A new chapter begins with SCO cooperation. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-china-relations-a-new-chapter-begins-with-sco-cooperation-1817053-2025-08-24
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