India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, stated that relations between India and China are “better” than they were in the previous year, attributing the improvement to progress in military disengagement along their disputed border. Speaking at an industry event in Chennai, Jaishankar emphasized that the situation along the border is the foundation of the broader bilateral relationship.
“It is a better relationship than it was a year ago,” Jaishankar said during his address. He added, “The reason it is better is that we have made progress on the border.” He reiterated the Indian government’s position, stating, “The state of the border determines the state of the relationship.”
The minister’s comments refer to the ongoing military standoff between the two countries in the eastern Ladakh region, which began in May 2020. Tensions escalated significantly in June 2020 following a clash between troops in the Galwan Valley. The Indian Army reported that the incident resulted in the deaths of 20 of its soldiers. The Chinese government later confirmed that it also sustained casualties.
Since the 2020 incident, military commanders and diplomats from both nations have engaged in over 20 rounds of talks aimed at de-escalating tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border. These negotiations have led to the disengagement of troops from several friction points, including the north and south banks of Pangong Tso, Gogra, and the Hot Springs area.
Despite this progress, both countries continue to maintain a significant military presence in the region, and discussions are ongoing to resolve outstanding issues at other locations.
The government of China has presented a different perspective on the role of the border dispute in the overall relationship. Officials from China’s Foreign Ministry have repeatedly stated that while the border issue is important, it should be placed in an “appropriate position” and not define the entirety of bilateral ties. Beijing has often advocated for advancing cooperation in other areas, such as trade and investment, in parallel with border negotiations.
Jaishankar noted that while the situation has seen improvement due to the disengagement efforts, it has not yet returned to a state of normalcy. His remarks underscore the Indian government’s stance that a complete normalization of relations is contingent upon the full resolution of the border dispute and the restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC.
