India-China reset will remain transactional and fraught with challenges, says former diplomat KC Singh

India and China appear to be moving toward a cautious reset in ties after years of strain following the 2020 Galwan clashes. However, seasoned diplomats and experts caution that the road ahead will be transactional and fraught with challenges.According to KC Singh, former diplomat, China’s moves must be viewed in the context of India’s shifting relations with the US. “The Chinese know that we are coming back on the rebound from America. They will push us where it hurts, while handing out things to keep the relationship moving. This will remain transactional,” he noted.

Strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney warned that India risks repeating history by pursuing a rapprochement with Beijing despite unresolved border issues. “China has not vacated areas occupied in 2020. Yet, India is back to courting China. Successive governments have adopted a reactive approach, and the result has always been India being taken by surprise,” he said.

Former diplomat Anil Trigunayat emphasised that while dependencies on Chinese imports remain high, recent easing of export restrictions on rare earth magnets and tunnel boring machines is a positive sign. “It is important to continue engaging China to extract advantages while ensuring issues don’t deteriorate further. India is not a pushover,” he stressed.On the economic front, Anjali Prasad, former ambassador to the WTO, cautioned against opening up too quickly. “We should not do away with Press Note 3. Investments from China must continue to be vetted carefully. Economic ties cannot override core national security concerns,” she said.

Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to China for the SCO Summit —his first trip there in seven years—will be closely watched for signals of how far both sides are willing to go in recalibrating ties.

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