Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during the SCO summit in Tianjin on August 31–September 1. The two leaders are expected to push for normalization of ties. Talks may lead to the resumption of air services and higher-level border meetings.

India and China Upgrade Military Dialogue

India and China have agreed to hold Lieutenant General–Major General level talks in three sectors — Chushul, Nathu La, and Kibuthoo or Yangtze.

So far, only one meeting took place at this level between the 14th Corps Commander of India and the Sinkiang Military Division commander at Chushul in Ladakh. Expanding talks to all sectors is seen as a major confidence-building step.

This decision came during the 24th round of Special Representative talks on August 19. Officials say the actual dates will be finalized after the Modi-Xi meeting in Tianjin.

A China expert said, “If six rounds of dialogue take place between apex military formation commanders in a year, then chances are that all LAC friction issues get sorted out on ground in real time. And if the border remains peace and tranquil, then there is no reason why the bilateral ties take an upswing between the two Asian giants.”

Trade Pressure from the United States

This push for better ties comes as both India and China face US trade tariffs.

India will face an additional 25 percent tariff on August 27, taking the total to 50 percent. China already faces 54 percent tariffs, though Washington has given a 90-day pause before imposing more.

During their August 19 meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed these challenges. The US was the “elephant in the room.” Both felt that Washington was unfairly targeting their economies. As a result, they agreed there was a need for closer coordination.

India’s Balancing Act

India knows the limits of cooperation with China. Yet, recent US moves have strained New Delhi’s ties with Washington.

The Trump administration has linked India to the Ukraine war and has portrayed it as a “villain.” This, along with higher tariffs, has hurt public opinion about the US in India.

Observers warn that the new 25 percent tariff on August 27 will likely make India-US relations cold, if not frozen.