India and China Resume Flights, Ramp Up Trade Talks to Strengthen Ties Amid Trump Tariffs

India and China, two of the world's largest economies, have finally begun to strengthen ties with each other as they face Trump's tariffs.

Relations between India and China have always been relatively spotty, with several battles and standoffs in past years near the McMahon Line. This line separates the eastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh from Tibet, and has seen various skirmishes and battles over the years as India and China fought over the disputed line. Another area known as Aksai Chin, located near the northern Indian region of Kashmir, has also been disputed in recent years– it is now claimed by India but remains under Chinese occupation.

Due to these border disputes, India and China have maintained a cold relationship, with both sides attempting to side with the enemy of the other. China and Pakistan have developed strong ties as China funds various projects to grow the Pakistani economy, and India has stepped up relations with the United States.

Furthermore, tensions reached their peak in June 2020 after the construction of a road through the Galwan Valley of Ladakh, in northern India, to get to a high-altitude airbase. China saw this infrastructure project as a threat, leading to a battle between the two sides that resulted in 20 Indian and 4 Chinese fatalities.

However, that incident was seen as a breaking point, and relations began to mend themselves after that– as Trump imposed tariffs, both countries began to look for alternatives, and they seem to have found an ally in each other.

In recent months, India's friendship with the US has begun to splinter after some of the moves US President Donald Trump has taken since he entered office. His tariffs have placed repeated pressure on allies like India, and their refusal to stop buying Russian oil has prompted him to increase tariffs to 50%– the updated tariff will go into effect on August 27.

Meanwhile, China has also been facing serious pressure from the US to place restrictions on the ever-growing drug trade, in addition to various tariffs. After a trade war earlier this year, the US and China agreed on a tariff treaty that would reset levels back to around 30%. While that treaty was set to expire on August 12, it was extended by three months, giving the two countries more time to negotiate on a deal.

Now, India and China have set their border dispute aside in an attempt to grow their weakened friendship, potentially showing a sign of strength against the Western world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed that relations had been improving since his visit to Kazan, Russia, to talk with leaders of BRICS nations, which included Chinese President Xi Jinping– at that meeting, they also agreed upon the 2024 India-China Border Patrol Agreement, allowing them to defuse tensions near their disputed borders.

Then, on Tuesday, Modi met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, allowing them to further strengthen ties. Both countries agreed to resume direct flights, which had been suspended since the skirmishes in the Galwan Valley in 2020. Additionally, the two major powers will allow border trade once again, beginning with three areas, and rules on visas will be relaxed. These new trade rules will allow them to build up each others' economies, possibly making up for some of the damage caused by American tariffs.

Finally, on August 31, Modi will also attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the Chinese city of Tianjin, making it the first time the Indian Prime Minister has traveled to China in over seven years.

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Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): First, accept sadness. Realize that without losing, winning isn’t so great. (Alyssa Milano)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Sailent (adj, SAIL-yunt) - Something described as salient is very important or noticeable.

In a Sentence: The assignment was to write down the most salient points made in the article.

Image credit to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs