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India-China relations, from conflict to cautious thaw
Reuters • • world
Key Points:
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold talks during the BRICS summit in New Delhi, marking Xi's first visit to India in seven years.
- The two countries experienced a deadly border clash in 2020 in the Galwan Valley, resulting in at least 24 soldier deaths and escalating tensions along their disputed 3,800-km Himalayan border.
- Following the clash, India tightened scrutiny of Chinese investments, banned Chinese apps, and severed direct flights, while China restricted people-to-people exchanges and travel for journalists and businesspeople.
- A disengagement agreement was reached in October 2024, with both sides pulling back troops from contested areas by December 2024, leading to improved trade ties and resumption of direct flights.
- Despite economic improvements, military deployments remain heavy along the border, and tensions persist over territorial disputes such as Arunachal Pradesh, China's support to Pakistan in last year's conflict, and concerns over Chinese investment in sensitive Indian sectors.
