China India Photo: CFP
Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar summed up China-India relations as one of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual benefit, which is in line with the current warming and upward trend in bilateral relations. Chinese analysts said, stressing caution and patience. In consolidating momentum.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said at the Nani meeting that India-China relations are unraveling from the complexities arising from the post-2020 border situation, but even as they are dealing with them, the long-term development of the relationship remains uncertain. He said that further consideration is needed. Palkhivala Memorial Lecture in Mumbai on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar said India needs to prepare for the expression of China’s growing capabilities, especially those that directly impact India’s interests. “Overall, India’s approach can be summarized in terms of three mutual perspectives: mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual benefit. Also, with a growing recognition that the issue is actually the larger prospects of both countries, , bilateral relations can also benefit ‘countries,’ he added.
Jaishankar’s remarks are in line with the current momentum in China-India relations, which are characterized by both opportunities and challenges, Qianfeng, director of research at Tsinghua University’s Institute for National Strategy, told the Global Times. Qian said that after the implementation of the new border agreement and the two countries’ summit in Kazan, Russia, bilateral relations have stabilized and entered a warming phase.
In October 2024, China and India began implementing an agreement to end military standoff on their disputed border, the first time between the Asian powers since the 2020 clash, according to a Reuters report. It was the largest thaw of snow in the world.
Also in October, the leaders of the two countries met on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan. According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, the two leaders agreed to view and address China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, maintain peace and prosperity in the region and the world, and contribute to the advancement of global multipolarization. . In November, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi met Jaishankar in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to discuss improving bilateral relations.
At the same time, Qian pointed out that due to the lack of mutual trust due to the border standoff, both sides need to work carefully and patiently to maintain the momentum of the thaw.
Qian said more needs to be done to further stabilize the border situation, get people-to-people exchanges back on track, and in particular promote mutual recognition that China and India should treat each other as development opportunities rather than exhaustion. He said it requires a lot of time and sustained effort.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced in early January that Jaishankar would represent the Indian government at the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday. According to Reuters, the foreign ministers of the United States, Japan, India and Australia were scheduled to meet on Tuesday after Trump takes office.
The biggest thing that China and India have in common is that they are both developing countries with large populations that are facing the challenge of how to develop. Some goals may not be achievable in the short term, but they can start by resuming direct flights and restarting journalistic exchanges. Qian said visa facilitation measures would be eased.
