The latest meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the first official bilateral meeting in five years, is pivotal amid ongoing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The leaders’ agreement to resolve the military standoff prompts reflection on the evolution of India-China relations and its broader implications. Historically, the India-China relationship has oscillated between cooperation and conflict, shaped by post-colonial aspirations, geopolitical strategies and historical grievances. This meeting is important not only in terms of bilateral relations, but also in terms of its impact on global peace, stability and progress.

“Indo-Chinese Bhai Bhai” Phase

The relationship between India and China in the early 1950s was marked by a sense of solidarity. The slogan “Indo-Chini Bhai Bhai” (India and China are brothers) reflected the spirit of cooperation between the two newly independent nations in a world shaped by the Cold War. The signing of the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954, which emphasized mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression and peaceful co-existence, symbolized the optimism of that time. Both countries sought to assert their respective positions in the international order and briefly found common ground on anti-colonialism and non-alignment.

However, this phase of friendship was short-lived. By 1962, border disputes culminated in a full-scale war, leading to a bitter outcome that shattered the “Indo-Chinese Bhai Bhai” illusion. The war resulted in prolonged hostilities, particularly over the disputed regions of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh. The unresolved border issue became a simmering point of tension that colored much of the diplomatic relations between the two countries in the years that followed.

Decades of Uneasy Diplomacy

For much of the 20th century, India and China maintained a tenuous relationship characterized by occasional efforts at reconciliation interspersed with periods of mistrust. The ice began to thaw in the 1990s, as both countries began pursuing economic reforms and realized the potential benefits of cooperation. Bilateral trade began to increase, and both countries took steps to improve border management, resulting in agreements such as the 1993 Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement.

But even as economic ties expanded, the underlying border dispute never fully disappeared. Military tensions and clashes continued to occur periodically, with each side accusing the other of provocation along the LAC. Despite these tensions, the overall diplomatic narrative was one of cautious engagement, as both India and China realized the strategic and economic importance of maintaining a stable relationship.

2017 Doklam Standoff: A Turning Point

The 2017 Doklam standoff was a pivotal moment that marked a shift in India-China relations. The 73-day standoff, revolving around China’s attempt to build a road in the disputed region near the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction, has brought the two countries dangerously close to military conflict. While the crisis was eventually defused through diplomatic negotiations, it underlined the fragility of peace along the LAC and highlighted the potential for small disputes to escalate into larger conflicts.

Doklam foreshadowed more violent tensions to emerge in 2019 and 2020. This standoff marked the beginning of a more assertive phase in India-China relations, as both sides increased their military presence and infrastructure development along the LAC. This has also signaled a shift in China’s regional strategy, as Beijing seeks to project its power more assertively in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.

Repeal of Article 370

India’s decision in August 2019 to abrogate Article 370, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, has increased tensions with China, especially over Ladakh, which borders the Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin. Beijing opposed the move, marking the beginning of escalating clashes along the LAC. Indian and Chinese troops faced each other in key areas such as Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley and Hot Springs.

Tensions peaked in June 2020 with the deadly Galwan Valley clash in which hand-to-hand combat led to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers; This incident was the first such deaths since 1975. This incident sent shock waves in bilateral relations and inflamed nationalist sentiments in both countries. . In response, India reduced its economic dependence on China by banning Chinese apps and screening Chinese investments.

Infrastructure Development and Strategic Competition

The main driver of LAC tensions has been infrastructure build-up on both sides. India has stepped up road and military infrastructure development in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh in response to perceived Chinese encroachments. China, on the other hand, built roads, airstrips and military facilities in Tibet and Xinjiang in order to consolidate its dominance over Aksai Chin and spread its influence throughout South Asia.

This infrastructure race has intensified strategic competition. For India, improved connectivity in border areas is vital to assert its territorial claims and improve its ability to counter Chinese aggression. For China, infrastructure serves both strategic and economic objectives, strengthening its control over disputed areas while promoting the integration of Tibet and Xinjiang into its broader economy.

Way to Relieve Tension?

In recent years, India and China have held numerous military and diplomatic talks to ease LAC tensions. In February 2021, both sides agreed to disengage from areas near Pangong Tso and held further talks addressing unresolved issues in Depsang Plains and Gogra-Hot Springs. However, tensions continue. The December 2022 conflict in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh highlighted the ongoing instability and full secession that is yet to be achieved. While the recent Modi-Xi meeting signaled their shared determination to resolve the military standoff and stabilize relations, Modi emphasized the importance of the relationship for both nations and global peace.

In a Multipolar World

India-China relations must be understood in the context of the rapidly changing global order. Both countries are at the center of an emerging multipolar world where regional dynamics and global governance are in flux. For India, its relationship with China is part of a broader strategy to assert its influence in Asia and globally, as seen through its participation in the Quad and strengthening ties with the US to counterbalance China’s presence in the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its assertiveness in South Asia and the Indian Ocean are raising concerns about its strategic intentions.

The India-China rivalry extends beyond border disputes to competing visions of regional and global leadership. While the Modi-Xi meeting signaled progress towards resolving LAC tensions, the bigger challenge lies in managing strategic competition without further escalating tensions. Historically, cooperation between the two has often given way to conflict. Going forward, both countries must manage their differences by recognizing the broader implications of their relationship, which affects not only development goals but also regional and global peace.

Amal Chandra is an author, political analyst and columnist. The views expressed in the article above are personal and belong solely to the author. These do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.