India–China Ties Must Remain Bilateral: Jaishankar Reasserts Sovereignty Amid Border Talks

In a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at recalibrating strained relations, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met with senior Chinese leaders including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng during his official visit to Beijing. The core message emerging from these meetings was clear and assertive: India–China relations are strictly bilateral in nature and should remain free of third-party influence.

This declaration, made amid ongoing de-escalation efforts following the 2020 Ladakh standoff, signals India’s determination to restore trust and normalcy while firmly safeguarding its strategic autonomy.

S Jaishankar | Hindustan Times

A Deliberate Reset in Border Management

The foremost agenda during Jaishankar’s China visit revolved around the sensitive and long-contested Line of Actual Control (LAC). In recent months, following the disengagement agreement signed in October 2024, Indian patrols have resumed in previously restricted areas such as Depsang Plains and Demchok. This marks a cautious yet meaningful step toward restoring ground-level stability in Eastern Ladakh.

Jaishankar reiterated that peace and tranquility at the border form the essential foundation for broader cooperation between the two countries. He underscored that the continued deployment of approximately 50,000 troops, along with tanks and artillery on both sides, remains a matter of concern. Without tangible and verifiable progress in military disengagement, political normalization will remain elusive.

Rebuilding Economic Predictability

Another central issue raised by the Indian side was trade stability and economic engagement. Jaishankar expressed concern over China's increasing imposition of export restrictions on critical materials such as lithium, rare earths, and fertilizers—commodities crucial to India’s industrial and agricultural sectors. He urged Chinese leaders to avoid unpredictable trade barriers that disrupt supply chains and sow economic uncertainty.

India emphasized the need for transparent, rules-based trade practices, framing the relationship as one of economic complementarity rather than rivalry. Jaishankar stated that in a post-pandemic global economy, predictability in bilateral commerce must replace coercion or suspicion. This message was well-timed as China is also facing economic slowdown and supply chain vulnerabilities due to its tensions with the West.

Reaffirming the Bilateral Nature of the Relationship

Perhaps the most politically loaded portion of Jaishankar’s message was his firm rejection of third-party interference in India–China matters. While he did not name any country, the reference to Pakistan was unmistakable. Jaishankar noted that bilateral trust cannot deepen as long as China maintains close military ties with Pakistan, which continues to fuel instability in the region.

This assertion gains added relevance given recent reports that China supplies over 80 percent of Pakistan's military hardware. India has consistently viewed Beijing’s strategic support to Islamabad—especially in times of cross-border tensions—as a barrier to resolving bilateral disputes directly.

By declaring that no external actor should influence the trajectory of India–China relations, Jaishankar effectively drew a red line: New Delhi will not tolerate geopolitical triangulation involving Beijing and Islamabad.

India’s Stand at the SCO: Terrorism Above All

Prior to his bilateral meetings, Jaishankar attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tianjin. There, he shifted the conversation from territorial disputes to the global threat of terrorism. He asserted that combating extremism must remain the SCO’s top priority and warned that countries aiding or abetting terrorism would face consequences.

This statement followed India's preemptive strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied territories after the Pahalgam attack in April 2025, which killed dozens of Hindu pilgrims. Notably, the United Nations Security Council, including China and Russia, unanimously passed Resolution 1605 condemning the attack and authorizing international counter-terror measures.

Jaishankar’s remarks placed terrorism—rather than regional rivalries—at the center of international cooperation, pushing SCO members to uphold their commitment to peace and justice beyond political alliances.

China’s Response: A Diplomatic Thaw?

Chinese officials responded with a tone of cautious optimism. State-affiliated media outlets such as Global Times framed the visit as an opportunity for both countries to recalibrate their relationship away from confrontation and toward strategic cooperation.

Beijing’s messaging also appeared to pivot slightly, calling India a key partner in shaping a multipolar world order. Some Chinese analysts suggested that the U.S.–led alliances in the Indo-Pacific are pressuring Beijing to ease tensions with New Delhi to avoid encirclement. While rhetorical, such acknowledgments reflect Beijing’s recognition of India’s growing global stature.

Still, mistrust persists, particularly around Beijing’s ambiguous stance on border claims and its continued presence in contested zones. China’s support for Pakistan and its opposition to India's membership in groups like the Nuclear Suppliers Group remain sore points.

Political Reverberations at Home

Back in India, the visit was not without domestic political ramifications. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the Modi government for what he termed a “circus diplomacy” approach, accusing it of failing to confront China’s aggressive actions with sufficient transparency or resolve.

However, the government maintains that diplomacy and dialogue are essential for managing complex challenges like the LAC standoff. Jaishankar’s messaging—firm but constructive—has been praised by strategic analysts as a realistic attempt to steer the relationship toward gradual normalization without compromising national security.

Conclusion: A Cautious Path Forward

Jaishankar’s visit to China marks a pivotal moment in the post-2020 evolution of India–China relations. His emphasis on direct, bilateral engagement reflects India’s growing confidence on the global stage and its refusal to allow regional disputes to be shaped by other powers.

While many hurdles remain—from border disputes to trade imbalances—the clear articulation of red lines and cooperative frameworks sets the stage for a new phase in this complex relationship. The road ahead will demand patience, vigilance, and sustained engagement. But for now, diplomacy is back at the table, and with it, a glimmer of possibility in one of Asia’s most consequential rivalries.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, The Economic Times, Times of India)