New Delhi: As the dust settles on years of heightened tensions, India and China are charting a new course in their bilateral relations, signaling a move towards more constructive engagement. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has highlighted the positive trajectory, acknowledging that despite setbacks like the Galwan Valley clashes, both nations are now poised for improvement. This strategic shift comes after a tumultuous period, marking the lowest point in India-China relations since the 1962 war.
The recent developments in their relationship are marked by several key milestones. The Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020 brought India-China relations to their lowest ebb since the 1962 war, but a series of diplomatic and military talks has now led to the withdrawal of troops from several friction points along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. In October last year, India and China finalized a disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok, the last two contentious areas in the region.
Following this agreement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held pivotal talks in Kazan, signaling their commitment to improve bilateral ties. While tensions have eased, some pre-pandemic activities remain suspended, such as direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which halted during the COVID-19 pandemic and have yet to resume. Both countries are working to revive these activities as part of broader efforts to rebuild ties.
Efforts to enhance cooperation continue with high-level visits. In December, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval traveled to Beijing for talks under the Special Representatives dialogue framework, and in January, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with his Chinese counterpart, Sun Weidong, both visits aimed at deepening engagement.
