The relationship between India and China has been severely strained since a violent clash in 2020 in Ladakh, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops
News Desk
KAZA: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have held their first formal talks in five years, marking a potential thaw in the fraught relations between the two nations. This meeting occurred on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, just days after India announced a deal with China aimed at resolving a prolonged military standoff along their disputed Himalayan border.
The relationship between India and China has been severely strained since a violent clash in 2020 in Ladakh, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops. In the aftermath of this confrontation, both countries significantly bolstered their military presence in the region, deploying tens of thousands of troops and advanced weaponry along the icy frontier. The escalation has left both nations on edge, exacerbating an already complex historical relationship that is complicated further by border disputes.
Prior to their recent engagement, Modi and Xi had not conducted formal bilateral discussions since October 2019, when they met in Mamallapuram, India. Their last interaction occurred in November 2022 during the G20 summit in Bali, where they exchanged pleasantries but failed to establish any substantive dialogue. A subsequent meeting at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August 2023 ended with conflicting accounts from both sides, highlighting the deep-seated differences that have marred their communications.
Xi’s decision to skip the G20 summit hosted by India in September 2023 was perceived as a further setback, leaving many observers questioning the future of bilateral relations. However, diplomatic channels have begun to reopen, particularly following a meeting between the foreign ministers of both nations in July. This meeting sparked renewed momentum for discussions aimed at alleviating the tensions that have long plagued their border interactions.
The recent talks are not just a diplomatic formality; they carry the potential for broader implications. Modi’s government has linked the improvement of political relations and business ties with China to the resolution of the border standoff. Consequently, there is cautious optimism that the outcome of this meeting could pave the way for increased Chinese investment in India—a development that could benefit both economies.
In the wake of the Ladakh clashes, India adopted a more stringent approach toward Chinese investments, implementing heightened scrutiny and effectively halting direct flights and visa issuances to Chinese nationals. Despite these measures, the agreement reached this week is seen as a crucial step toward de-escalation. While specific details regarding the resolution of the standoff have not been disclosed, reports indicate that the pact will facilitate coordinated patrols along contested points of the border, helping to prevent future confrontations.
