New Delhi: India on Wednesday underlined the need for constructive measures to create an enabling environment for improving bilateral relations with China during a meeting between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Sun Haiyan, the vice minister of the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) international department. The discussions form part of ongoing efforts to normalise ties that were severely strained following the military standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which began in 2020 and lasted more than four years.

Sun Haiyan arrived in India on January 12, leading a delegation focused on outreach to political parties, academia, and the media. The visit comes amid a cautious thaw in India-China relations after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Russia in 2024, agreeing to take forward engagement and address outstanding border disputes.

During the talks, Misri highlighted the importance of people-to-people understanding as a foundation for rebuilding trust and enhancing bilateral relations. “In this context, he emphasised the need to take positive steps to create the right environment for improved bilateral relations,” said an official readout from the Ministry of External Affairs.

Stabilising Ties and Forward-Looking Engagement

The discussions between Misri and Sun centred on the progress made in stabilising and rebuilding ties since the LAC stand-off ended in October 2024. Both sides reviewed people-centric and business-oriented engagement initiatives and explored ways to advance bilateral cooperation through 2026. The readout noted that the talks were part of a “protracted process” aimed at normalising relations after years of heightened military tensions and mistrust.

Despite the recent thaw, several irritants continue to affect bilateral relations. These include India’s objections to Chinese infrastructure projects in the occupied Shaksgam valley, construction of the world’s largest dam on the Tibetan plateau with potential implications for Brahmaputra river flows, and the detention of a woman from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai airport. These developments have been formally raised by India with the Chinese side and are likely to influence the pace and scope of the normalisation process.

Political Outreach and Media Engagement

Sun Haiyan’s visit also included interactions with Indian media outlets, think tanks, and political parties. Notably, she met leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale—the first such meetings in over five years. These engagements are significant because the CPC’s international department is responsible for forging political connections internationally, particularly with ruling parties and influential organizations.

While BJP leaders described the discussions as focused on enhancing dialogue and bilateral understanding, the opposition Congress party questioned the timing and intent of the meetings. Congress alleged that China made claims on Shaksgam valley, part of Jammu and Kashmir, shortly after the closed-door session at the BJP headquarters, raising concerns over the political messaging and timing of the interaction.

Multilateral Engagement and BRICS

In addition to bilateral matters, Sun congratulated India on assuming the BRICS chairship and expressed China’s strong support for a successful summit of the grouping. The meetings highlighted China’s interest in deepening engagement across political, economic, and multilateral platforms, signalling Beijing’s intent to maintain dialogue despite unresolved territorial and strategic differences.

Strategic Context

The visit reflects the ongoing balancing act in India-China relations, where both nations are seeking measured engagement while safeguarding strategic and territorial interests. The period since the LAC standoff has been characterised by a mix of cautious normalisation, bilateral irritants, and continued diplomatic messaging. India’s emphasis during the talks on positive steps and a conducive environment underscores its approach of prioritising dialogue and confidence-building, while remaining firm on issues of national security and sovereignty.

The external affairs ministry’s readout confirmed that both sides reiterated their commitment to implement the directions provided by their leaders and to advance relations along the path of normalisation. The talks also focused on expanding exchanges under a programme facilitated between India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the CPC’s international department, reflecting a structured framework for sustained political, cultural, and academic engagement.

Looking Ahead

India-China relations continue to navigate a complex mix of cooperation and competition. The visit by Sun Haiyan, coupled with high-level diplomatic engagement through Foreign Secretary Misri, indicates a mutual willingness to stabilise ties while addressing contentious issues through structured dialogue. The outcomes of these discussions will be closely watched, particularly in the context of territorial claims, regional infrastructure developments, and broader geopolitical developments in the Indo-Pacific.

With both sides reaffirming their commitment to normalisation, the focus in 2026 is expected to remain on incremental confidence-building measures, people-to-people engagement, and strengthening of business and cultural ties, while carefully managing sensitive border and strategic concerns.