New York, September 29 (Daily Kiran) : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the state of India-China relations during a recent event in New York. He noted that the ties between the two nations have improved after emerging from the worst phase of border tensions. However, he emphasized that the degree of normalcy in their relationship will largely depend on ongoing conditions at the border.
Jaishankar stated that the current state of India-China relations is better than in 2025 and has shown significant improvement compared to 2024. Nonetheless, he cautioned against interpreting this progress as a fundamental shift in their relationship.
The minister highlighted that the events of 2020 and the prolonged border dispute severely disrupted normal communication between the two countries. While trade continued, official dialogues, movement of officials, visa issuance, and flights were significantly affected. As tensions at the border have eased, some of these interactions have begun to resume.
Jaishankar described the renewed contacts as a natural outcome of stabilizing relations, rather than evidence that existing issues have been resolved. He reiterated India’s long-standing position that prolonged tensions are not in the best interest of either country.
He remarked, “The decline in our relationship is not beneficial for either side.” Jaishankar pointed out that third parties could exploit such situations. He noted that India aims to avoid getting trapped in disputes that could benefit others, a sentiment that took time for the Chinese side to accept.
Improving relations with China, according to Jaishankar, not only strengthens India’s position in negotiations with China but also enhances its relationships with other countries. However, he affirmed that India will seek practical solutions aligned with its interests. “If I can find a solution that works for me, that is what I would prefer,” he said.
The minister reiterated that the border remains the most critical issue in India-China relations. He stated, “The situation at the border defines the state of our relations. It is not possible to have tensions or worse conditions at the border while expecting normal relations.”
Jaishankar concluded that as conditions at the border normalize, broader relations between the two nations could also improve. He expressed that more normalized ties would benefit both India and China but did not imply that all differences have been resolved.
When questioned about the increasing flights and official contacts between India and China, Jaishankar distinguished between the resumption of previously halted contacts and any significant, lasting changes in their relationship. He noted that while contacts can resume with reduced border tensions, lasting change requires a stronger foundation.
His remarks reflect a broader perspective on India’s foreign policy, as the country seeks to balance its relationships with several major partners while minimizing over-dependence on any single nation. For India, this means managing its relationship with China in conjunction with its ties to the United States, Europe, Japan, Russia, and others.
India and China share a long border, with numerous disputed areas. The deadly clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020 drew global attention to the border tensions, which have had a profound impact on bilateral relations.
Despite political and security disagreements, trade between the two countries has continued. India has consistently maintained that peace and stability at the border are essential for fully normalizing relations with China.
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