2LT International News

NEW DELHI, India: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on August 19 in the capital, signaling a tentative thaw between the nuclear-armed neighbors after years of border tensions.

Wang, who arrived the previous day, also held talks with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, with discussions centered on the disputed Himalayan frontier, troop reductions, and restoring trade.

Relations between India and China have been fraught since 2020, when a deadly clash in Ladakh left 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops dead. The incident marked the most serious violence in decades, prompting both countries to deploy tens of thousands of soldiers along the 3,488-kilometer (2,167-mile) border. Trade, diplomacy, and even air travel suffered as ties froze.

Some progress has been made. Last year, the two sides agreed on new border patrol protocols and withdrew additional forces from specific areas. Both governments continue to build roads and railways near the frontier. Still, in recent months, they have also resumed official visits, discussed easing trade restrictions, and moved toward restoring direct flights. Beijing has allowed Indian pilgrims access to holy sites in Tibet, and the two sides are negotiating to reopen three traditional trade routes.

Jaishankar welcomed Wang on August 18 and urged de-escalation to restore momentum to bilateral ties. “Having seen a difficult period in our relationship, our two nations now seek to move ahead. This requires a candid and constructive approach from both sides,” he said. Wang responded that the border had remained largely peaceful in recent months and emphasized Beijing’s willingness to “properly handle differences and promote the sustained, sound and stable development” of relations.

Still, analysts caution that the rapprochement remains fragile. Manoj Joshi of the Observer Research Foundation said both sides are “still talking past each other” on the boundary dispute, noting that any real settlement would demand political compromise at the highest level.

The warming comes as India’s relationship with Washington faces strains. U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced steep tariffs on Indian goods, including penalties tied to New Delhi’s purchases of Russian crude oil, deepening economic tensions with a country once viewed as a key counterbalance to China. India, however, has responded by expanding energy and trade ties with Moscow.

Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet again later this month at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China, marking Modi’s first visit there in seven years. Their engagement, which began at a 2023 summit in Russia, may shape whether this cautious opening develops into lasting stability.