New momentum in China-India relations and signs of stability in South Asia
# By Prem Sagar Poudel
A high-level meeting in Delhi has offered a new glimmer of hope in the complex relationship between China and India, two powerful and economic superpowers in South Asia. The 24th Special Representative Border Talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval announced that they had “comprehensive, in-depth and productive” discussions on the border issue and bilateral relations between the two countries, informing a significant turning point in regional geopolitics. Not only this negotiation, but also in its background, American pressure, shared aspirations for multilateralism, and the vision of a revival of two civilizations carry serious implications for South Asia, especially neighboring countries like Nepal.
According to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang and Doval agreed to work in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding, based on the political norms and guiding principles agreed in 2005, and to seek a just, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution. Most importantly, both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening regular management in the border area and jointly safeguarding peace and stability in the border area. This signifies important progress emerging from the tense situation following the tragic border clashes of 2020.
This progress has come at a very strategic time. As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized, this year will mark the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations. He called for learning from the past, forming the right strategic vision, and seeing each other as partners and opportunities, not competitors or threats. His point focuses on the need for both countries to invest in the development and revitalization of their valuable resources. This approach is a shared goal for both China and India to make the process of reviving the “great Eastern civilizations” mutually beneficial and provide certainty and stability to Asia and the world.
One major reason for this warming of China-India relations can be seen in international geopolitics. As Tian Guang Qiang, an assistant research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, the US government’s unilateralism, especially tariff pressure, has exposed the common interests between China and India. Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar also acknowledged this and said that both countries uphold multilateralism and are committed to promoting a just and balanced multipolar world, as well as jointly safeguarding the stability of the global economy.
In this regard, the reaction of the American media has been very remarkable. The New York Times wrote that “Trump Is Pushing India Back Towards China”, while Time magazine noted that “India and China’s relationship is thawing as the U.S.’s ties with India chill”. However, according to Chinese expert Qian Feng, the improvement in China-India relations has come from internal motivation, inspired by the important consensus reached at the meeting between the two leaders in Kazan. The US tariffs have made India aware of the limitations of its relationship with the US, prompting it to move towards a strategically autonomous approach with a balanced foreign policy.
This growing cooperation between China and India will have profound implications for South Asia. The rivalry between the two countries in this region has been at the heart of geopolitical dynamics to date. If they can develop a stable framework that governs the border dispute and focuses on comprehensive cooperation, it could help lift the clouds of uncertainty across the entire region.
For Nepal, whose geostrategic location makes it a “yam between two great mountains,” this could be a particularly beneficial form of development. Tensions between China and India force Nepal to face a difficult balancing act. But an atmosphere of consensus between the two sides could help Nepal adopt a more prudent and proactive foreign policy, increase economic and security cooperation with both neighbors, and play an active role in regional integration. Both countries can continuously and steadily advance large-scale regional connectivity and trade projects (such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative and India’s Act East Policy), which Nepal can also benefit from.
Jaishankar’s recognition that Taiwan is an integral part of China has also added another important foundation to the trust between the two countries. This demonstrates India’s sensitivity to Chinese interests in the region and raises the possibility of cooperation on shared security concerns.
These talks are a welcome orimary step, but challenges remain. The border dispute is a complex issue that has been going on for decades, and its final resolution may take a long time. However, both sides reaffirmed the importance of making full use of the “Special Representatives Meeting System”, and agreed to hold the 25th round of talks in China next year, demonstrating their commitment to long-term management.
Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the SCO Summit, which China is chairing, provides another important opportunity to advance bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
(The author is a senior journalist, political analyst, President of Nepal- China Mutual Cooperation Society and expert on international affairs.)
