India and China are strengthening their ties, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to New Delhi marking a significant step towards rapprochement. The two nations have agreed to resume direct flights and set up new expert groups for boundary delimitation, as well as restarting talks on reopening border trade.
The development comes amid US-China tension, with President Donald Trump imposing 50% tariffs on Indian imports. However, this is not a primary reason for the Sino-Indian engagement. Instead, it’s a result of years of cautious normalization efforts, which began in October when India and China reached a deal on patrolling arrangements to de-escalate tensions along their disputed Himalayan border.
India had maintained that China’s actions were responsible for the 2020 clashes, but Beijing has since acknowledged its role. In return, Delhi has relaxed restrictions, allowing Chinese tourists to visit key religious sites in Tibet and agreeing to restart talks on reopening trade through designated passes.
While some see this as a response to Trump’s behavior, it’s unlikely to be a significant factor. Instead, the two nations are taking steps towards normalizing relations, driven by mutual interests and economic cooperation. With or without the US, India will remain cautious about Chinese intentions, but these latest developments suggest a positive trajectory for Sino-Indian ties.
Source: https://time.com/7311553/india-china-mending-ties-trump-us