Beijing, January 27, 2025 – In a recent diplomatic engagement, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of mutual understanding and support between China and India. In a meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Beijing, Wang Yi pointed out that both these countries should eliminate suspicion and alienation for smooth stabilization and enhancement of bilateral relations.
History and Recent Events
Ties between India and China have suffered, largely post the deadly clash along their disputed Himalayan border in 2020, resulting in significant military build-up on either side. Even various rounds of diplomatic and military conversations, which resulted in partial troop disengagement, have yet to ease the tension in some places. The 2020 clash, besides throwing up endangering military tensions, impacted economic relations, with India fixing restrictions on Chinese investments and banning some Chinese apps, including TikTok, citing security concerns.
Latest Diplomatic Interactions
The meeting grew out of a series of high-level discussions aimed at mending bilateral ties. In October 2024, both countries agreed to ease tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border. Wang Yi met with Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in December, during which both sides committed to handling the border issue and enhancing mutual trust.
Despite political and military tensions, economic interactions between both countries have remained somewhat resilient. Trade volumes continued to grow with China remaining one of the largest trading partners of India.
There is a presence of numerous Chinese companies operating in the Indian markets, especially in technology and smartphones, while many Indian professionals, including engineers and doctors, offer their expertise in several sectors in China.
Controversial Themes: The Yarlung Tsangpo Dam Project
Among its many contentions is a Chinese plan to construct a massive dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, which flows into India as the Brahmaputra. The proposed dam, to be built with a height and volume considered three times more than the volume of the Three Gorges Dam, sparked concerns in India about the impending ecological disruption for the downstream, which is usually the major concern in such a project for India.
Located in close proximity to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, the project has raised the geopolitical tensions, more so with the region within the sphere of seismicity. China has assured that while construction is in its planning stage, environmental safety and water resource management would be considered; however, worries persist in India about the project being misunderstood as a tipping point.
What Lies Ahead
The dialogues underline the recognition that understanding and cooperation is the way forward, both countries expressing the desire to forget about their past attitudes toward each other and formulating a stable, constructive bilateral relationship.
However, in resolving the long-time challenge of border dispute and water resource management, longtime institutional encouragement may yet still be needed to make them credible to the other side.
The relations between two of the supplementary giants of the world, namely India and China, are postulated on immense regional and world significance. The prospect of the Foreign Minister expressing more mutual understanding and less suspicion is an expansion in favour of achieving more harmonious bilateral relations.
The next few months are going to be central in determining how the two countries intend to deal with their complicated relationship, balancing cooperation with contentious issues.
