The year 2025 emerged as a turning point in India–China relations, marked by a more constructive and forward looking approach after several years of strain following the 2020 Galwan Valley incident. While differences particularly on the boundary issue did not vanish, both New Delhi and Beijing demonstrated a clear willingness to move beyond confrontation and focus on cooperation, stability and shared opportunities. The tone of engagement shifted to confidence building, with both sides recognising the immense potential that a stable and cooperative relationship holds for Asia and the global economy.
The positive momentum seen in 2025 built on the political understanding reached at the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met after a long gap. That interaction set the direction for the year ahead. In 2025, this intent translated into practical measures on the ground. Border-management mechanisms were reactivated, communication between the two militaries improved and the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) remained largely calm. This stability created the space needed to shift attention toward rebuilding trust and exploring areas of mutual benefit.
Diplomatic engagement gathered pace early in the year. In January, talks between India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in Beijing helped restore regular dialogue and put leaders’ understandings into practice. The fact that 2025 marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations added a positive historical context, reminding both sides of decades of cooperation and exchange. Coordination in multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation further highlighted the shared responsibilities of India and China as leading voices of the Global South.
Ministerial level exchanges during the year reinforced this cooperative outlook. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to China and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India reflected growing confidence and political comfort on both sides. Discussions went beyond security to include economic cooperation, supply chains, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. Proposals to resume direct flights, restart visa services, revive border trade and facilitate the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra were widely welcomed as practical steps that could unlock enormous opportunities for tourism, business, education and cultural interaction.
The highlight of the year came in August, when Prime Minister Modi visited China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin and held talks with President Xi Jinping. The meeting underlined a shared vision of India and China as partners in development, capable of managing differences while working together for regional and global stability. By the end of the year, the relationship had clearly moved into a more positive and predictable phase.
Looking ahead to 2026, the outlook for India–China relations appears bright and full of promise. With visas and direct flights already resumed and the possibility of further easing in trade, investment and travel policies, people-to-people contact and economic engagement are set to expand rapidly. A stable and cooperative India–China relationship offers enormous opportunities, not only for the two countries, but for the wider region. We hope the positive momentum of 2025 will sustained, 2026 could mark the beginning of a more dynamic, mutually beneficial and future oriented chapter in one of the world’s most important bilateral relationships.