India and China are making efforts to rebuild their strained relationship, which has remained tense since the 2020 border standoff in Ladakh. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar acknowledged that while issues between the two nations will persist, they must be resolved without conflict.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Asia Society, Jaishankar said, “What happened in 2020 was not the way to address issues.” His remarks referred to China’s unilateral attempt to alter the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which led to a deadly military clash and severely damaged bilateral ties.
Slow Progress in Restoring Relations
Jaishankar noted that since October 2024, India and China have made gradual progress in improving ties after years of diplomatic and military negotiations. The breakthrough came after both countries agreed to return to the pre-2020 status quo, which paved the way for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping to meet during the BRICS summit in Russia.
The 2020 crisis caused a deep trust deficit, sparking anti-China sentiment in India, impacting trade, technology, business relations, and even air travel.
Border Dispute Remains a Challenge
India and China share a 4,400 km border, divided into two sections The Line of Actual Control (LAC), spanning Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim. The McMahon Line, covering Arunachal Pradesh. Despite the ongoing challenges, Jaishankar emphasized that diplomatic efforts will continue to prevent further escalations and restore stability between the two nations.
