What happened?
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for closer India-China cooperation, advocating a “Dragon and Elephant Dance” approach to bilateral relations. His remarks came following a meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg in February 2025.
The two sides discussed ongoing diplomatic negotiations over the Line of Actual Control (LAC), particularly disengagement efforts in Eastern Ladakh, where tensions have persisted since 2020. A previous meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Russia in October 2024 marked the beginning of new disengagement efforts.
Why it matters to India:
While China’s call for deeper cooperation suggests a diplomatic thaw, India remains cautious, given Beijing’s past reluctance to restore the LAC status quo. New Delhi prioritizes sovereignty and border security while keeping diplomatic channels open. Strengthened ties could provide economic and geopolitical leverage, but trust remains a challenge.