India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that relations between the two nations are gradually normalising [1].

The meeting underscores India's insistence that stability on its disputed border is the only path toward restoring full diplomatic and economic cooperation.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Manila, Philippines [1], Jaishankar said that peace and tranquillity in the border areas is a "pre‑requisite" for normal relations between India and China [2]. He said the ties must be anchored in mutual respect, interest, and sensitivity [2].

Jaishankar said the need for both nations to resolve friction along the border and pull back troops [3]. He also said the avoidance of restrictive trade measures to further normalise the relationship [3].

Beyond security concerns, the Indian minister highlighted the necessity of fair market access and a reduction in trade imbalances. Jaishankar said, "We look forward to deepening practical cooperation and ensuring predictable global supply chains" [1].

The discussions took place on July 22, 2026 [2]. While the meeting signals a thaw in tensions, the Indian government maintains that economic growth and stable supply chains cannot be decoupled from the security situation on the ground.

Reports on the timeline of this diplomatic recovery vary. Some sources suggest ties have improved steadily since a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan in October 2024 [4], while others link the current normalisation to more general recent diplomatic engagements [4].

“Peace and tranquillity in the border areas is a "pre‑requisite" for normal relations between India and China”

This diplomatic exchange indicates that while India is open to normalizing trade and practical cooperation with China, it will not treat economic ties as separate from border security. By labeling border peace as a prerequisite, New Delhi is signaling that a return to the status quo ante is mandatory before full strategic trust can be restored.