On July 9, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Astana, marking their first formal talks in five years. The leaders expressed a shared intent to stabilize bilateral ties strained by the 2020 border clashes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. Both sides acknowledged the need for constructive dialogue to address lingering tensions, particularly over unresolved border disputes.
The discussions focused on implementing agreed-upon political principles to manage boundary issues, with India emphasizing peace along the LAC as a prerequisite for normalized relations. Recent posts on X reflect cautious optimism in Chinese circles, with hopes for Modi’s potential visit to China, though tempered by ongoing concerns over trade imbalances and security issues. The talks also covered enhancing cross-border cooperation, including trade and cultural exchanges, with China expressing willingness to advance demarcation talks.
India reiterated its stance on maintaining stability through existing confidence-building measures, while China highlighted the importance of managing differences to prevent escalation. Both nations agreed to continue high-level engagements, with foreign ministerial talks planned for late 2025. Despite progress, analysts note that deep-seated mistrust and geopolitical rivalries continue to challenge the pace of reconciliation.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 10th, 2025
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
