India-China ties have improved compared with where they stood a couple of years ago, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, pointing to the easing of tensions along the two countries’ disputed border.
Speaking at an event in New York, Jaishankar said the relationship had moved forward as the situation along the border became more stable. He noted that the difference was particularly visible when the current situation was compared with the difficult period that followed the 2020 border clashes.
The minister said the border issue has a direct bearing on the wider relationship between India and China. After the 2020 tensions, several areas of normal engagement between the two countries were affected, including official exchanges, travel arrangements and flights, although trade continued.
According to Jaishankar, India has maintained that the two sides cannot expect normal relations while tensions continue along the border. As the situation on the frontier improves, he said, there is greater scope for other aspects of the relationship to move towards normalcy.
Jaishankar also stressed that India does not see prolonged tensions with China as being in either country’s interest. He said a stable relationship between the two neighbouring countries is important, particularly as the global balance continues to change.
His remarks come as New Delhi and Beijing have resumed greater diplomatic engagement following years of strained relations. Both sides have taken steps to reduce tensions along the border, while several areas of their broader relationship continue to require dialogue.
Jaishankar’s comments suggest that India sees the recent improvement as a gradual process rather than a complete resolution of all differences between the two countries. Border issues and other outstanding matters remain important parts of the ongoing India-China dialogue.
