What happened?
India and China agreed to gradually resume dialogue mechanisms, focusing on each other’s priority areas of interest and concern, during a meeting in Beijing on 26 March 2025. Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), held talks with Liu Jinsong, Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides reviewed the progress made since the October 2024 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan. They discussed measures to stabilise relations, including enhancing people-to-people exchanges, resuming direct flights, and increasing media and think tank collaboration. The two sides also made headway towards restarting the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrimage in 2025.
Why it matters to India
The step-by-step resumption of dialogue is significant for India, as it aims to stabilise strained ties with China amid ongoing border tensions. The discussions on enhancing people-to-people exchanges and restoring direct flights indicate a willingness to normalise relations gradually. Progress on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is particularly noteworthy, as it holds religious and cultural significance for Indian pilgrims. Additionally, the focus on resuming diplomatic dialogue channels could help address border issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), offering a platform for de-escalation and confidence-building measures. Strengthened bilateral cooperation also aligns with India’s broader regional diplomacy efforts.