The two countries seek to use the opportunity to redouble public diplomacy efforts and conduct a number of commemorative activities following the recent meeting between Foreign Secretaries.
Other Key announcements
- Resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025.
- Resumption of provision of hydrological data and other cooperation pertaining to trans-border rivers.
- Agreement to resume direct air services between the two countries.
- Others: People-to-people exchanges, media and think-tank interactions, etc.
Key areas of concern in India-China Relations
- Unsettled Borders: No mutual agreement over Line of Actual Control (LAC), dispute over Aksai Chin, etc.
- Recent episodes of conflicts were witnessed in Galwan Valley (Ladakh, 2020), Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh, 2022), etc.
- Unequal Trade: India’s trade deficit with China rose to USD 85 billion (2023-24) against USD 83.2 billion (2022-23).
- China-Pakistan Nexus: China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), passes through Indian territory claimed by Pakistan.
- China’s Assertiveness: Particularly in South Asia through strategies like String of Pearls, presence in Maldives, Sri Lanka, assertion over South China Sea, etc. create insecurities in Indo-Pacific.
Way forward on dealing with China
- Addressing the Border issue: Through agreements like the recent one on Depsang and Demchok, along the LAC.
- Diplomatic Engagements: Maintaining open channels of communication through bilateral or regional cooperations like in BRICS, SCO, etc.
Overview of India-China Relations
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