
A slow revival: on the state of India-China ties
However, both sides have been muted about the reason for the rupture in ties in the first place. There has been little discussion over what prompted the Chinese PLA to transgress the LAC in 2020, which led to the Galwan clash, and what guarantees Beijing has given that this would not be repeated. While in December 2024, the government told Parliament that normalcy in ties could only follow the restoration of 'peace and tranquillity in the border areas', it appears it is now prepared to continue to normalise other parts of the relationship without achieving troop de-escalation, dismantling of infrastructure in disputed areas and buffer zones that would lead to restoring patrolling to pre-2020 levels. Ties have also been impacted over Operation Sindoor, with revelations that the PLA was in lock-step with Pakistan's army. The government must realise that restoring mechanisms of bilateral ties are not by themselves sufficient for rebuilding trust. Sweeping key issues under the carpet, without some transparency on the path ahead, could put the whole process of reviving relations at risk.
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