China Extends Hand to India Amid Trump’s Threats, Following Russia’s Lead
New Delhi- Beijing: A significant shift is unfolding in global geopolitics after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on India. Once distanced due to long-standing border disputes, India and China now appear to be moving towards improved relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit China later this month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
According to Beijing, both India and China are important members of the Global South, and working together to support each other’s growth is not only a viable option but also a mutually beneficial one.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Talks About Strengthening Ties with India
The Chinese state-run newspaper Global Times reported that China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the future of bilateral relations with India. During a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian was asked how Beijing views the development of ties with New Delhi and whether both nations could work together on the global stage.
Responding to the question, Jian said:
“China is ready to work with India to act on the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries. Continuous communication will help build political trust. At the same time, we aim to expand exchanges and cooperation through multilateral platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, fostering greater coordination between our nations to further improve relations.”
Modi-Xi Jinping Meeting Scheduled for August 31
Amid the ongoing tariff tensions between India and the United States, the India-China equation seems to be warming again. According to a Bloomberg report, during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to China for the SCO meeting, India may announce the resumption of direct flights between the two countries a move that could mark a fresh start in bilateral engagement.
PM Modi is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 31 in Tianjin, where the SCO summit will be hosted. This high-level meeting is being seen as a possible turning point in the strained ties between Asia’s two largest economies.
U.S. Push Backfires as India-China Move Closer
For years, Washington has tried to position New Delhi as a strategic counterbalance to Beijing in the geopolitical chessboard of Asia. However, Trump’s new tariff policies have inadvertently pushed India and China closer. In fact, the current developments suggest that instead of driving a wedge between the two neighbours, U.S. actions may have triggered a temporary alignment of interests.
China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, has also extended moral support to the Modi government against the U.S. tariff announcement. In a strongly worded statement, Xu criticised Washington’s approach, stating:
“If you give even an inch of ground to a bully, they will take a mile.”
This remark, directed at the Trump administration’s aggressive trade stance, highlights the rare moment when Beijing is openly siding with New Delhi especially on matters that impact both nations’ economic and political stability.
From Tensions to Tactical Cooperation
The current thaw in India-China relations stands in contrast to the rocky past marred by military standoffs, economic restrictions, and deep mistrust. The two countries have often found themselves at odds, particularly along the disputed Himalayan border. However, shared economic interests and common challenges posed by U.S. protectionist policies seem to be driving a pragmatic reassessment of priorities.
For China, aligning with India on select issues could help reduce its diplomatic isolation, particularly as it faces increasing Western scrutiny over trade practices and strategic ambitions. For India, reopening a line of cooperation with Beijing could offer a counterweight to American trade pressure while also boosting its influence in Asian affairs.
A New Phase in Regional Diplomacy
Whether this diplomatic warmth will translate into lasting partnership remains uncertain. Analysts caution that while tactical cooperation might benefit both sides in the short term, underlying differences — especially territorial disputes and strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific will continue to shape the relationship.
Nonetheless, PM Modi’s upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping at the SCO summit and the possible resumption of direct flights signal a willingness to engage in dialogue and collaboration. In an increasingly fragmented global order, such developments could set the tone for a more multipolar Asia, where nations navigate shifting alliances based on strategic convenience rather than permanent enmity.
