India-China Ties Improving, Says Jaishankar; Talks Underway on Post-Covid Issues & Border Stability

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday said that India’s relationship with China has seen significant improvement, with both sides actively engaging on various post-Covid and border-related issues.

Speaking at the CNN News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025, Jaishankar highlighted that recent developments—particularly the disengagement at key friction points like Depsang and Demchok—have helped ease long-standing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

“The relationship is much better than before,” Jaishankar noted, pointing out that both nations are now in talks about resuming direct flights, restarting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and resolving pending issues from the pandemic era.

He acknowledged that the border tensions over the past few years were compounded by a prolonged military build-up and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the suspension of flights and pilgrimage routes. “We are working to address many of these collateral issues that emerged during the Covid period,” he added.

Jaishankar emphasized the need to move forward, stating that both sides now recognize the situation from 2020 to 2024 was not beneficial to either country. “There is recognition of that now, and we are moving in a positive direction.”

This renewed engagement follows a breakthrough in October 2024, when India and China reached an agreement on patrolling protocols in the Depsang Plains and Demchok after several rounds of diplomatic and military talks.

That agreement was also welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan. PM Modi reiterated the importance of resolving disputes peacefully and ensuring that differences do not disrupt border stability.

The latest remarks by the External Affairs Minister signal a cautious but optimistic shift in India-China relations after years of strain.