Modi-Xi Meeting at BRICS: How India-China Relations Have Changed Since the 2020 Clash

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. Xi’s visit to India, nearly seven years after his previous trip, is being seen as an important moment for relations between the two Asian powers.

Just a few years ago, Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a tense military standoff along the Himalayan border. Relations deteriorated sharply after the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020. Since then, however, sustained diplomatic and military talks have helped reduce tensions, while both sides have also taken steps to restore economic and commercial ties.

So, how did India and China move from the deadly confrontation of 2020 to the relatively more stable relationship seen today?

What Happened in 2020?

In June 2020, Indian and Chinese troops engaged in a violent confrontation in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, in the western sector of the Himalayas. It was the first deadly clash between troops from the two countries since 1975.

Tensions had already been rising along the disputed border over military positions and infrastructure. Indian authorities accused Chinese troops of establishing positions and structures near the Line of Actual Control in areas claimed by India.

At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the Galwan clash. China later acknowledged the deaths of four of its soldiers.

The confrontation triggered a major military buildup on both sides, with India and China deploying large numbers of troops and equipment along the border.

The crisis became one of the most serious challenges in bilateral relations between the two countries in decades.

A Disputed Border of Around 3,800 Kilometres

India and China share a disputed Himalayan border stretching for roughly 3,800 kilometres. Large sections of the boundary have never been formally demarcated, creating longstanding disagreements over the Line of Actual Control.

The lack of a clearly defined boundary has repeatedly led to tensions between the two countries.

The 2020 Galwan clash brought those unresolved border disputes back to the centre of India-China relations.

2024 Agreement Helped Ease the Standoff

After years of military and diplomatic negotiations, India and China reached an agreement in October 2024 concerning troop disengagement and patrolling arrangements along parts of the disputed border.

Both sides had already withdrawn troops from several areas where their forces had been in close proximity. The subsequent agreement helped advance the process of disengagement in the remaining sensitive areas and aimed to restore the situation closer to the pre-2020 position.

The move gradually reduced the military standoff that had dominated bilateral relations since the Galwan clash.

Although tensions did not disappear completely, political and diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Beijing began to increase.

India and China Move Toward Economic Normalisation

As border tensions eased, both countries also began taking steps to improve economic and business relations.

India has resumed direct air connectivity with China and moved to reduce some bureaucratic hurdles in processing business visas for Chinese professionals. New Delhi has also eased some restrictions related to the purchase of Chinese equipment.

The economic relationship remains significant for both sides.

In the 2025-26 financial year, China was India’s largest source of merchandise imports, with imports worth around $132 billion. More than 100 imported product categories are considered important for Indian factories and industrial production.

This highlights a key feature of the relationship: while India and China remain strategic competitors, their economies continue to have significant interdependence.

Military Caution Remains

Despite the improvement in diplomatic and economic ties, mistrust between India and China has not disappeared.

Both countries continue to maintain substantial military deployments in border areas. Disagreements over the Line of Actual Control, military infrastructure and regional influence remain major challenges.

As a result, the current relationship is better described as a combination of strategic competition, economic interdependence and cautious cooperation rather than a complete return to friendly relations.

Why the Modi-Xi Meeting Matters

Against this backdrop, the expected meeting between Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit carries considerable significance.

The two leaders could discuss the border situation, trade, direct air connectivity, business ties and broader diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Beijing.

Xi’s visit to India after nearly seven years is also symbolically important. After years of tension following the 2020 border clash, the latest developments suggest that India-China relations have entered a more stable phase.

However, the long-term durability of this improvement will depend heavily on whether the two sides can maintain peace along the disputed border and make further progress on unresolved issues.

From the deadly Galwan clash in 2020 to the disengagement process in 2024 and the renewed focus on trade and diplomacy, India-China relations have entered a new phase.

The Modi-Xi meeting at the BRICS summit could provide an important indication of where the relationship between the two Asian powers is heading next.