India-China relations on recovery path, says Jaishankar

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Monday that the country's relationship with China has strengthened compared to the previous two years, marking a notable shift in one of Asia's most consequential bilateral equations.

Addressing a forum at Asia Society, Jaishankar noted that while the improvement does not represent a fundamental structural change, the recovery has been substantial given how badly ties had deteriorated following border tensions that peaked in 2020.

"Compared to where we were in 2024 and 2025, the relationship is considerably better today," Jaishankar said. He attributed the gradual improvement partly to the fact that relations had reached such a low point that even modest stabilisation efforts naturally led to improved outcomes.

The thaw has been evident in recent diplomatic engagements, including Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India for the BRICS Leaders' Summit hosted by New Delhi. The External Affairs Minister stressed that as border-related issues move towards resolution, the bilateral relationship is progressively normalising.

The assessment reflects a broader shift in India-China ties after years of friction stemming from the 2020 border clash and the subsequent military standoff along the Line of Actual Control, which had severely strained diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.