Interview: From Trump to West Asia, India’s diplomatic troubles go back to post-Galwan failure

As the uneasy ceasefire holds in West Asia, something else is happening in India’s immediate neighbourhood. Nearly six years after a dangerous conflict that led to casualties (the first in almost four decades) on the Line of Actual Control separating India and China, there now appears to be appetite for warmer ties between Beijing and New Delhi.

In March, India relaxed trade restrictions it had put in place in the aftermath of the 2020 Galwan conflict, easing the way for Chinese investment (two years after the chief economic adviser suggested it).

Preparations are being made for border trade to begin at Lipulekh Pass after six years. Following the critical military agreement on border patrolling in October 2024, there has been progress on visas, direct flights, the acquisition of critical equipment from China, as well as official engagement including a much touted visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

Relations are on an “upward trend”, said India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval last year. India and China are on the “right track of improvement”, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in March. Just don’t call it a reset. Or if you do, the term needs a qualifier, says Jabin Jacob.

“I’m tempted to call it a ‘timepass reset’… It’s a bit harsh, but I am...

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