Relations between India and China have had a rocky path in recent years. Disputes over the border, China’s close relationship with Pakistan, and India’s growing friendship with the United States—especially under Prime Minister Narendra Modi—had all pushed the two nations apart. But now, there are signs that relations are slowly improving.
Longstanding Challenges
India and China share one of the world’s longest borders, and it has been a source of decades-long tension.
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Border Disputes
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The two countries disagree over territories such as Aksai Chin (controlled by China but claimed by India) and Arunachal Pradesh (controlled by India but claimed by China).
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These disputes led to the Sino–Indian War in 1962 and several smaller clashes since, the most serious being the deadly 2020 Galwan Valley conflict.
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China–Pakistan Ties
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China has a strong strategic partnership with Pakistan, providing it with military equipment, economic investments, and infrastructure projects like the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
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India sees this as a direct threat, especially since Pakistan is its main regional rival.
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From Cooperation to Rivalry
Relations between the two countries were actually improving around 2015, when trade was growing and public opinion in India was becoming more positive toward China. But this didn’t last:
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Border incidents became more frequent.
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India began working more closely with the United States and other Indo-Pacific partners to counter China’s rise.
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After the 2020 clashes, India banned over 200 Chinese apps, including TikTok, citing national security concerns.
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Modi’s government also reached out to Taiwan’s tech sector, inviting chipmaker TSMC to invest in Gujarat—something Beijing viewed as a violation of the One China policy.
These steps caused relations to hit their lowest point in decades.
A Recent Shift in Tone
In the last six months, something has changed:
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India’s National Security Adviser, Defence Minister, Foreign Secretary, and External Affairs Minister have all visited China.
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Modi is expected to visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, his first trip there since 2018.
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Both governments are now using softer language in public statements.
Interestingly, India has even avoided strong criticism of China despite Beijing’s continued military support to Pakistan. This suggests a more pragmatic approach from New Delhi.
Why the Warming Relations?
Experts say there are two main reasons:
1. Economic Needs
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With the global economy slowing down, India may want to rebuild economic ties with China to protect its growth.
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The Indian government has hinted it might ease restrictions on Chinese investment, especially in manufacturing and technology.
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China still controls supplies of rare earth minerals and important industrial machinery, making it a valuable economic partner.
2. Changing U.S. Relations
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Recently, India–U.S. ties have hit a rough patch, with Washington imposing tariffs on Indian exports.
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Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s outreach to Pakistan also changed the strategic balance.
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This may encourage India to find common ground with China, especially if it can create distance between Beijing and Islamabad.
What’s Next?
While there are still deep disagreements—especially over the border—both countries seem willing to put aside some disputes for now in favor of economic cooperation and strategic balance.
For India, the challenge will be to balance its economic interests with national security concerns. For China, the goal is likely to prevent India from getting too close to the U.S.
As global politics keep shifting, the India–China relationship will remain a key factor in Asian geopolitics, influencing trade, security, and alliances across the region.