Jaishankar says India-China ties have improved as border tensions ease

India-China relations are better than they were a couple of years ago, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said during a conversation hosted by the Asia Society in New York. Responding to a question on Monday, Jaishankar said the relationship had improved compared with 2025 and even more so compared with 2024.

He linked the change to the easing of tensions following the 2020 border standoff. Jaishankar said the long confrontation had severely affected bilateral ties. Official exchanges, visa issuance and flights had been disrupted, although trade continued.

Once the border situation stabilised, he said, an improvement in relations was a natural consequence. He described the principle guiding India’s approach as the idea that the condition of the border determines the condition of the relationship. According to Jaishankar, tension on the border cannot coexist with a fully normal relationship.

He also said India had consistently conveyed to Beijing that a prolonged standoff did not benefit either side and could allow third parties to gain from the dispute. An improvement in ties, he added, helped India’s position not only in relation to China but also in the wider international system. Jaishankar told the audience that the world was moving towards greater multipolarity.

He said countries were seeking to reduce risks, diversify partnerships and find new arrangements in response to a difficult global environment. He said these adjustments were visible during the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly.