India and China complete 75 years of their diplomatic ties in a shifting global order
It has been a love-hate relationship all along. From the days of ‘Hindi Chini bhai bhai’ to skirmishes at Doklam, India and China the two giants of the Asian subcontinent have had a strained relations. Ironically as the two countries may be at loggerheads in their bilateral relations their trade relations have flourished all along.
India and China, two of the world’s oldest civilisations and most populous nations, mark 75 years of diplomatic ties in 2025. The journey has been fraught with both cooperation and conflict — ranging from the 1962 war and border disputes to robust economic engagement and shared global interests. Despite tensions, the two Asian giants have consistently found ways to engage, recognising that their bilateral relationship holds immense geopolitical and economic significance.
As Chinese President Xi Jinping articulated in his message to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, the relationship should evolve into a “Dragon-Elephant tango.” This metaphor underscores the potential for harmony despite fundamental differences in political and economic models. Their ability to find synergy will be crucial in the wake of a rapidly evolving global landscape — one increasingly shaped by protectionist tendencies from the United States under Donald Trump’s administration.
Donald Trump’s return to the White House has heightened tariffs, and a reconfiguration of global alliances. Both India and China have faced the brunt of Trump’s aggressive economic policies before —China through the US-China trade war and India through tariff hikes and restrictions on visa programs.
Trump’s presidency is forcing both nations to rethink their economic strategies. While, India has strategically aligned itself with the US on issues like the Indo-Pacific and Defence cooperation, it also values its autonomy in global affairs.
Similarly, China sees India as a critical regional player whose participation in initiatives like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) bolsters Beijing’s vision of a multipolar world. In this context, India and China have the potential to deepen their engagement in areas where their interests converge, rather than allowing past disputes to dictate the future of their relationship.
With Washington adopting more stringent trade policies, India and China can enhance bilateral trade by reducing dependence on Western markets. India’s burgeoning digital economy, manufacturing sector and push for self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) could align with China’s expertise in technology, infrastructure and supply chain management.
Strategic agreements in sectors like renewable energy, pharmaceuticals and artificial intelligence could be mutually beneficial. The 2020 Galwan Valley clash remains a sore point, but recent efforts at de-escalation highlight a growing realisation that prolonged border tensions serve neither country.
If both nations can establish more structured dialogues and confidence-building measures, it would prevent military conflicts from derailing broader diplomatic progress. India and China share a common interest in reforming global institutions like the United Nations, IMF and WTO to reflect the realities of the 21st century. As two major voices from the Global South, they can jointly push for a rebalanced global order that is less dominated by Western hegemony.
The next phase of India-China ties will require a pragmatic approach that prioritises long-term gains over short-term rivalries.
