India's Jaishankar stresses border stability for China ties

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that peace and tranquillity in border areas are essential prerequisites for the normalization of India-China relations. Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Delhi, Jaishankar noted that the two nations do not have an agreed border, an issue that has persisted for decades.

He highlighted that from 1975 until 2020, there were no fatalities on the border, a period during which bilateral relations grew. However, he described the 2020 border clash, which occurred during COVID-19 lockdowns and resulted in soldier deaths on both sides, as a ‘profound departure’ from previous stability.

Jaishankar emphasized that any disturbance to the border would have consequences for the broader relationship. He characterized the requirement for a stable boundary as a ‘no-brainer’ for progress, noting that while the situation has settled significantly since 2024, stability remains the key to moving the relationship forward.