On August 18–19, 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi for high-level discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. This visit was a historic diplomatic event. Wang Yi’s visit, which co-chaired the 24th round of the Special Representatives’ Dialogue on the India-China boundary issue, is an important milestone in resetting bilateral ties that have faced numerous challenges and influences the regional geopolitical environment as well as creating a refocus on peace with borders. This is before the 2024 signature summit between Modi and Xi in Kazan, suggesting a long series of prior engagements and diplomatic maneuvers by India with a view towards creating a constructive relationship with China, while continuing to be mindful of sovereignty and India’s strategic interests.
Key Outcomes of the Meetings
The discussions began with Wang Yi and Jaishankar highlighting their interest in maintaining peace on the border, and Jaishankar stating that restoring normalcy in relations hinges on addressing pending issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Wang Yi reiterated that we need to work together as partners rather than competitors, with the momentum post-2020 Galwan clash. Meanwhile, on August 19, Wang Yi and Doval concentrated on de-escalating the border, agreeing on a “ten points of consensus” for advancing border management through diplomatic and military interlocutors. Prime Minister Modi was “pleased that our relation is stable, predictable, and constructive,” stating that India’s strategic diplomacy “contributes to our evolving relations.”
Specific deliverables rescheduled direct flights (roughly two locations) demonstrated India’s faith in increased security by reopening border trade on three routes, including Nathu La, and resuming the processing of Chinese visitor visas. China, committed to engaging cooperation with respect to India’s rare earth needs, which are crucial for electric vehicles and semiconductors, provide a boost to India’s move to manufacture these products domestically. Bilateral trade, at over $100 billion plus, is slated to proceed onward and upward, reinforcing India’s economic clout while also readjusting itself into the picture with respect to the transformation of global supply chains. India raised its issues of concern with cross-border terrorism and transparent water-sharing norms concerning China’s mega-dam projects on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra). Both sides reaffirmed support for a multipolar world, while affirming India’s “One China” policy, keeping strong economic and cultural ties with Taiwan consistent with good practices in the world.
Advancing Border Stability
Post-2020 Galwan tensions, the 24th round of discussions was a positive development. Both countries agreed to form a working group with the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) to monitor tensions and create more effective border management. They agreed to delimitation in phases, with technical expert panels identifying less contentious narrows for early marking, in response to India’s long-standing demand to stop incursions. Some partial disengagements at friction points such as Pangong Tso and Gogra-Hot Springs have provided a faster process for patrolling agreements, confidence-building measures, and having a “quiet and tranquil” border, as Doval suggested. These measures lower the probability for escalation along the 3,488-km LAC, and afford India’s military to allocate their resources for other strategic issues.
Geopolitical Implication
India-China relations have warmed to reshape the Indo-Pacific environment, solidifying India’s importance as a regional balancer amid the uncertainty presented by countries like the US evolving its responses through the Trump administration. India has the potential to counterbalance perceptions of over reliance on Western partnerships through the QUAD (India, US, Japan, Australia) while also minimizing the aggressive posturing of China in South Asia associated with the Belt and Road Initiative. Improved border stability has led India to prioritize reducing China’s naval expansion into the Indian Ocean Region through increased competitiveness in maritime security. Additionally, benefits to deeper regional integration and supply chains would help support India’s Make in India strategy for economic development, increasing economic growth and decreasing balance of trade deficits. In affect, it could reduce regional decision making overhead and increase India’s reputation as a manufacturing economy. The discussions also represent a larger vision for Asian agency with both countries endorsing a “fair and balanced” multipolar world order. This alignment diminishes the US-China rivalries and establishes India as a pivotal power in the current global governance reforms.
Future of India-China Relations
With the recent meetings in Delhi, we are at a potentially beneficial inflection point in India-China relations, with India presenting a pro-India model predicated on mutual respect, non-interference, and strong self-defence in its national interests. While long-standing mutual mistrust from the 1962 war, as well as recent fighting, will still be an issue, there is potential for sustained dialogue to establish an interactive framework for addressing issues of shared concern, such as in relation to climate change and terrorism. India’s forecasted 7 per cent annual economic growth and self-reliance in defence and technology will mean it will be able to manage any asymmetries with confidence. China’s constructive engagement suggests its acknowledgment of India’s burgeoning global salience. A stable relationship could change the geopolitical narrative in Asia, as India and China over one-third of the world’s population show a preference for partnership instead of enmity. Modi stated, “stable ties will shape the future of Asia,” placing India at the forefront of this emerging paradigm, which balances strategic autonomy with regional collaboration.
