External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday said that India’s relationship with China has significantly improved, citing recent progress in resolving long-standing border and post-Covid issues. Speaking at the CNN-News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025, Jaishankar emphasized that the relationship is “much better than before.”
Highlighting key developments, Jaishankar noted the disengagement in Depsang and Demchok areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as a major step forward. “The disengagement, particularly at Depsang and Demchok, was important. We’re now addressing issues that built up over the years, including collateral damage from Covid and border tensions,” he said.
The External Affairs Minister added that ongoing discussions now include topics such as resuming direct flights, restoring the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and addressing legacy concerns from the Covid era. “Some of these problems arose as collateral from the Covid period. Flights were halted, pilgrimages stopped, and there was no progress due to strained ties. We are now working on resolving them,” Jaishankar explained.
Referring to the period between 2020 and 2024—a time of high tension following the Galwan Valley clashes—Jaishankar acknowledged that the strained ties were “not in the interest of either country.” He stressed that both sides now recognize the need to restore normalcy and move forward constructively.
“I think there is recognition on both sides that the situation we saw between 2020 and 2024 was detrimental. Today, we are heading in a more positive direction,” he said.
The recent thaw follows a key agreement in October 2024 on patrolling protocols in the Depsang Plains and Demchok, areas of persistent friction along the LAC. This understanding came after multiple rounds of military and diplomatic-level talks.
Additionally, a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan last year helped push forward the momentum for disengagement. During that interaction, PM Modi stressed the importance of resolving disputes peacefully and maintaining border stability.
With renewed efforts on both diplomatic and military fronts, India and China appear to be taking measured steps to rebuild trust and restore functional ties.
