Following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump volunteered to arbitrate the border conflict between India and China, describing the situation as “quite vicious”. However, India has flatly rejected this offer, citing its long-standing policy of resolving such matters bilaterally.
During a news conference with Prime Minister Modi, President Trump emphasised his willingness to mediate, saying he would “love to help” settle the border skirmishes and emphasised the need of putting an end to the bloodshed. He also stated that China may play a role in settling the conflict in Ukraine, emphasising the necessity of collaboration among India, China, Russia, and the United States.
India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, replied by stating that India has always used a bilateral approach to settling disputes with its neighbours, including China. Misri indicated that India will continue to discuss concerns with China bilaterally.
Ties between India and China have been tense since the battles in Galwan Valley in June 2020. Despite this, both nations finished the disengagement process and agreed to withdraw troops from conflict areas in eastern Ladakh. PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping also discussed restarting engagement channels. India has maintained that ties with China cannot resume normalcy until peace is restored along the border.
It is not the first time Trump has attempted to intercede between India and China. He has made similar proposals in the past, especially during his first term, but India has constantly rebuffed, citing a desire for bilateral conversations.
The relationship between India and China has been complicated throughout history, with periods of hostility and attempts at communication. The Galwan Valley fight in June 2020 severely strained these ties, killing 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers, marking the most major military encounter between the two countries in decades. This event stemmed from China’s opposition to Indian infrastructure initiatives along the border, specifically a road development in the Galwan River Valley.
Following the clash, both nations engaged in a number of military standoffs and discussions. By late 2023, India and China had made headway in resolving some of these problems. A disengagement arrangement was finalised to evacuate soldiers from Depsang and Demchok, the last
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the overall relationship is unstable. When both countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic connections in 2025, they will still be dealing with deep-seated hostility arising from previous battles and continuing border issues. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) remains a sensitive topic, with periodic clashes recorded throughout its length. Furthermore, India’s trade imbalance with China has increased to almost $85 billion as of 2023-24, aggravating economic reliance amid strategic decoupling measures.
Looking ahead, there are signs of a thaw in ties due to common economic interests and reciprocal gains from collaboration, but considerable hurdles remain. Both countries are navigating a terrain affected by global upheavals and domestic pressures, which may impact future interactions.
