Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday, as relations between the two Asian powers show signs of warming thanks to U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of steep tariffs on New Delhi.
The trip will be PM Modi’s first trip to China in seven years, where he will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, alongside other members including Russia and Iran.
It is also his first visit since the deadly 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops along their disputed Himalayan frontier. The two neighbours share a 3,800 km (2,400 mile) border, which has been contested since the 1950s.
Timeline of easing tensions
June 2020
In June, at least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops were killed during hand-to-hand fighting in the Galwan Valley, Ladakh. Following the incident, New Delhi tightened scrutiny of Chinese investments, banned popular mobile applications, and cut direct passenger flights.
December 2022
Minor clashes broke out in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as part of southern Tibet.
August 2023
Modi and Xi met in Johannesburg at the BRICS summit and agreed to step up efforts to disengage and reduce tensions.
September 2024
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said about 75% of disengagement issues along the border had been resolved. India’s aviation minister also revealed talks on resuming direct flights.
October 2024
Both countries reached a deal on frontier patrols to end the standoff. On 23 October, Modi and Xi held their first formal talks in five years at a BRICS summit in Russia, agreeing to strengthen communication and cooperation.
December 2024
Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval travelled to Beijing for border talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with both designated as special representatives.
January 2025
Wang met Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in China. Both sides agreed to restart direct air links and to work on trade and economic differences.
April 2025
A Chinese embassy spokesperson called for India and China to unite in facing U.S. tariffs.
July 2025
Jaishankar visited China for the first time in five years, urging both countries to resolve border friction, withdraw troops, and avoid restrictive trade practices. Reuters reported India was considering easing restrictions on Chinese investments.
August 2025
During a visit to New Delhi, Wang told his Indian counterpart that the two nations should develop a “correct strategic understanding” and treat one another as partners.
Later in the month, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong said China opposed U.S. tariffs on India and would “firmly stand with India”.
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Azerbaijan–Armenia border talks that have produced a draft text on delimitation are “very important”, an ex-diplomat and international energy leader has said, urging leaders to resist ultranationalist pressure and negotiate fairly.
The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, visited Tehran to address “urgent humanitarian concerns” following the U.S.–Israel war on Iran, according to an ICRC delegation statement.
A report published by Minval Politika has raised new questions over alleged efforts by Luis Moreno Ocampo to shape international pressure against Azerbaijan and influence political dynamics around Armenia.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
Shares in Meta Platforms fell sharply in extended trading on Wednesday after the tech giant raised its annual capital spending forecast by billions of dollars.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned “foreigners who commit evil” have no place in the Gulf, outlining a “new phase” for the Strait of Hormuz, while a senior adviser said U.S. blockade efforts would fail and could trigger confrontation.
Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after a U.S. official said President Donald Trump was unhappy with a proposal from Tehran that does not deal with its nuclear programme. Washington is insisting that any talks must address Iran’s nuclear activities.
China has passed a new law aimed at ensuring its most vulnerable citizens are not left without support.
China has warned the U.S. that Taiwan will dominate next month’s summit in Beijing, raising pressure on Washington and concern in Taipei over any shift in long-standing American policy.
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From Thursday, 1 May, goods from every African country with diplomatic ties to China will be able to enter the Chinese market without paying import duties.
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