In October 2024, before the BRICS summit was held in Kazan (Russia), India and China announced an agreement on patrolling arrangements and resolved remaining border friction points, effectively restoring the situation to pre-2020 levels. It is time to strengthen the ties in 2025.

Introduction

• Mature Leadership: Mature leadership is defined by the ability to peacefully resolve disputes and prevent them from escalating into conflict.
• India and China Exemplified Mature Leadership: The military standoff between India and China, sparked by the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, tested this principle. 
  • Through patient diplomacy and political will from Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping, the situation was de-escalated.
• Moment of Strategic Choice: Now, the two leaders face a more significant challenge: whether to move India-China relations toward comprehensive cooperation or allow historical distrust to drag the relationship into rivalry and conflict.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

Cooperation or Confrontation?

• Growing Conflict in the World: At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty in the world (like Israel-Palestine, Ukraine-Russia, civil war in Yemen, etc), India-China rivalry would further destabilize global peace.
• Mutual Benefit: On the other hand, deeper cooperation between the two countries could bring immense mutual benefits, fostering stability not only in Asia but also globally.
• Role of Strategic Leadership: To steer the relationship in the right direction, both PM Modi and Xi must demonstrate wisdom and responsibility.
  • The decision they make will have far-reaching implications—not just for India and China, but for global governance, peace, and prosperity.

China’s Responsibilities

• Address India’s Security Concerns: China must convincingly assure India that it does not pose a threat to India’s national security, either independently or in alliance with Pakistan. 
  • The lack of Chinese condemnation of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has deepened distrust among Indians.
• Support India’s Global Rise: China should avoid actions that suggest it seeks to contain India’s rise in Asia and on the global stage. 
  • A key gesture would be China’s support for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council, acknowledging India as an equal global power.
• Respect India as a Multipolar Power: China must recognize India as a key pole in a multipolar Asia and world, respecting its position and aspirations.
  • India will not accept a subordinate status in its relations with any country, including China.

India’s Responsibilities

• Avoid Confrontational Alliances: India should be cautious about overstating the concept of “power asymmetry” and avoid joining confrontational alliances like the QUAD to counter China.
  •  It is important for India to ensure that it is not seen as part of a strategy to “contain” China.
• Uphold the “One China” Policy: India must consistently adhere to the “One China” policy and avoid actions that could be interpreted as supporting Taiwan’s independence or using the Tibet issue to undermine China.
• Counter Anti-China Narratives: India’s media and academic circles must refrain from spreading anti-China narratives, often fueled by the West’s geo-political agendas.

Immediate Steps for Better Relations

While the larger strategic issues will require time and effort to resolve, there are several immediate steps both India and China can take to improve relations:

• Resuming Direct Flights: The suspension of direct flights after the COVID-19 pandemic should be reversed to improve connectivity and ease travel between the two nations.
• Issuing Visas for Chinese Nationals: India should resume issuing visas to Chinese businesspeople, engineers, technicians, scholars, and tourists.

• Allowing Journalists Back: Both countries should reverse the decisions that led to the expulsion of journalists from each other’s countries, promoting better media relations and understanding.
• Lifting the Ban on Chinese Apps: India’s ban on several Chinese apps after the Galwan clash, should be reconsidered to facilitate smoother communication and business interactions.
• Increasing Trade and Investment: China can address its trade deficit with India by importing more goods from India. Additionally, facilitating greater Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in India could benefit both economies. 
  • As suggested by India’s Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran India’s business community is eager for joint ventures and technological collaborations with Chinese companies.

Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store

Conclusion

India and China stand at a crossroads. By making the right choices, 2025 could be a breakthrough year in bilateral relations. A high-profile visit, either by President Xi to India or Prime Minister Modi to China, could mark the beginning of a new era in cooperation, benefiting both nations and contributing to global peace and stability.

DOWNLOAD PDF