Officials from both countries have been meeting consistently.
New Delhi: Does China really want to improve relations with India? The way both countries have been making significant diplomatic decisions while putting aside mutual confrontations over the past few years suggests a similar situation.
The warming of relations between India and China became evident last October when the process of military disengagement started at disputed locations along the LAC. Now, an agreement has been reached to resume the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. Moreover, direct air services between the two countries will also be restored. This decision is a result of efforts to reduce border disputes and tensions between the two countries. Both nations have agreed to take several important steps to improve their relations.
Attempts to move beyond Galwan-Doklam
The year 2020 saw a deterioration in India-China relations following the Galwan clash and the Doklam dispute. Since then, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been halted. Prior to this, during the COVID crisis, direct flight services between India and China were suspended. However, both nations are coming closer. In this context, important decisions have been made to enhance mutual contact between the people of both countries and normalize relations. It is believed that there are several political and economic reasons behind China’s efforts to strengthen friendship with India.
Damage caused by deteriorating relations with India
The strained relationship between China and India in recent years has caused significant damage to the Dragon. The Chinese government has come to understand this. That is why it now wants to befriend Delhi. One reason behind this is considered to be the principle of neighbourly relations. The second reason is the United States, where Trump has returned. The situation in other countries around the world could also be challenging for China. In this context, it hopes of India’s support.
Pressure on China after Trump’s return
With Trump returning to the presidency in the United States for a second time, he has made it clear that tensions are about to rise for China. Trump has stated unequivocally that any country that harms the United States will face higher tariffs. Observing the American president’s stance, China realizes that it needs to change its position.
Its closeness with India indicates that Beijing is under tension due to Trump’s return.
The economic situation is a major reason behind improving relations with India. Just as China is looking for a large market, India is quite favorable in that regard. This is why the neighbor has initiated efforts to strengthen ties with India to bolster economic agendas. It is believed that the beginning of the closeness between the two countries started with the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Russian city of Kazan. In this meeting, both leaders reviewed bilateral relations and emphasized normalizing the relationship.
From direct flights to discussions about Mount Kailash Mansarovar, a significant decision was made regarding the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. Both sides decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage in the summer of 2025. On Monday, talks took place in Beijing between India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During this, Wang Yi stated that both countries should work together and focus on mutual coordination. Misri was in China for a two-day visit, where he met with Chinese officials to improve India-China relations.
Officials from both countries have been meeting consistently. This is the second visit to China by a senior Indian official in less than a month and a half. Previously, there was an agreement on six issues to resolve the border dispute during a meeting between India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. Doval traveled to Beijing on October 17 to participate in the 23rd meeting at the special representative level between India and China.
