Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India recently to hold talks on the border dispute and strengthen diplomatic relations. This visit comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming trip to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit — his first visit in seven years. Wang Yi also met with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval to discuss ways to ease tensions and improve bilateral cooperation. India and China, longtime rivals, are cautiously working to reset their ties, but India must ensure its own interests remain the priority.
The visit is significant in the context of global uncertainties. U.S. President Donald Trump recently imposed steep tariffs on Indian imports, including a 25% baseline tariff and another 25% linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil. This brings total U.S. tariffs on Indian exports to 50%, the highest charged by the U.S. alongside Brazil. India faces unpredictability from the United States, a country that once was seen as a reliable partner in countering China. This makes diversifying partnerships with nations like China and Russia strategically important. India must engage China to secure resources such as rare earth magnets and fertilizers, which have been limited since 2023, while protecting its economic sovereignty.
The India-China relationship remains complex due to past conflicts. The 2020 Galwan Valley clash, where troops from both sides fought violently, still casts a shadow over bilateral ties. Additionally, India has accused China of supplying real-time intelligence to Pakistan during India-Pakistan clashes in May 2025. These experiences highlight why India must adopt a careful approach, negotiating from a position of strength without compromising its core security interests. Wang Yi’s visit gives India an opportunity to improve trade, border security, and cultural ties, including reopening direct flights and facilitating the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route.
India’s engagement with China should focus on practical benefits while maintaining strategic independence. Economic cooperation is vital, including negotiating favorable trade terms and securing resources like rare earth magnets, which are crucial for technology and manufacturing. China’s willingness to normalise relations, as shown by the resumption of flights and border trade, provides leverage for India to obtain advantageous deals. Equally important is ensuring verifiable commitments to peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The 2024 disengagement agreement is a step forward but requires transparent mechanisms to prevent future conflicts.
To maintain a balanced approach, India must also strengthen regional alliances. Partnerships with Japan, Australia, and the Philippines can act as a counterweight to China’s influence in Asia. At the same time, domestic initiatives for technological self-reliance, emphasized by PM Modi in his Independence Day address, will reduce dependence on Chinese imports over time. By diversifying trade and investing in self-sufficiency, India can better protect its economy and sovereignty.
Critics argue that engaging China carries risks because of Beijing’s opaque intentions and its historical support for Pakistan. There is a fear that India could be trapped in an unequal partnership or face strategic encirclement via China’s “string of pearls” in the Indian Ocean. These concerns are valid and require caution. However, isolation from China is not a viable option. Refusing dialogue or trade opportunities would allow other countries to gain an advantage while leaving India overly dependent on an unpredictable United States.
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Wang Yi’s visit presents a critical moment for India to assert its strategic autonomy. By working with China in measured ways — promoting trade, keeping the border calm, and building regional alliances — India can gain economic and strategic benefits without compromising independence. The key is careful negotiation, pragmatic decision-making, and a clear focus on national interests. India can cooperate with China without being subservient, using this partnership to strengthen its position in the global order.
In conclusion, India faces a complex global environment with uncertainty from the U.S. and historical tension with China. Wang Yi’s visit is an opportunity for India to balance diplomacy, trade, and security while remaining independent. By asserting strategic autonomy, prioritizing national interests, and carefully managing partnerships, India can grow stronger economically and politically. Engagement with China, if handled prudently, can complement India’s broader global strategy, ensuring security, resources, and development without compromising sovereignty.
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