75 years of India-China relations and the Global Governance Initiative

Why in the News?

1. 2025 marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between China and India (since 1 April 1950).
2. Their meeting at the 25th SCO Summit (Tianjin, 2025) focused on stabilising bilateral ties and considered China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI) to reform how the world handles shared problems.

Key Highlights

1. Timeline of India–China Relations (1950–2025)

2. Long history, recent outreach
   1950. China and India established ties in 1950. Relations have seen cooperation, rivalry and episodes of tension. Leader-level contacts have been central to managing the relationship.
3. Intense leader diplomacy (2014–2024)
   2024. Xi and Modi met about 18 times between 2014 and 2024. Notable moments were Xi’s state visit to India (2014) and Modi’s visit to China (2015). They used BRICS, G20 and SCO summits to meet and build trust.
4. Pandemic pause and restart
   1. During COVID years, face-to-face meetings declined but leaders used calls and letters. In 2023 and 2024 they resumed in-person talks (e.g., BRICS sideline meetings in Johannesburg and Kazan).
5. Tianjin SCO Summit and the 2025 Modi–Xi meeting
   1. The 25th SCO Summit (Tianjin) was important because it brought leaders of Eurasian states together. Xi and Modi met in person (their 19th in-person meeting) to discuss bilateral ties, border stability, restoring direct flights and cooperation in the region.
6. Global Governance Initiative (GGI) — Xi’s five principles
   1. China proposed the GGI to improve global governance. Its five simple principles are:
      1. Sovereign equality — respect for all states’ choices and no external interference.
      2. International rule of law — uphold the UN Charter and apply rules without double standards.

• Multilateralism — major global decisions should involve many countries through bodies like the UN.

1. People-centred approach — policies should improve ordinary people’s wellbeing.
2. Real results — focus on practical solutions; developed countries should provide more resources, and developing nations should cooperate.

7. Why does India–China cooperation matter now?
   1. Both are large Asian powers with growing global influence. Their practical cooperation can support: regional stability, stronger multilateral institutions, development for Global South countries, and a more balanced international order.

Key Terms

1. Multilateralism
   1. Decision-making by multiple countries through institutions (UN, WTO, IMF, SCO).
   2. Promotes collective action on cross-border problems like climate, trade and security.
   3. Challenges include differing interests, power asymmetries and enforcement limits.
   4. Strengthening multilateralism means making institutions more representative and effective.
   5. India and China both use multilateral forums to advance shared and national interests.
2. Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs)
   1. Practical steps that reduce mistrust between rivals (hotlines, border protocols, joint patrols, information sharing).
   2. They lower the chance of accidental clashes and create space for talks.
   3. CBMs are low-cost but high-impact tools to maintain peace while political solutions are sought.
   4. For India–China, CBMs have included military meetings, border management talks and limited disengagements.
   5. Effective CBMs require continuing dialogue and verification mechanisms.

Implications

1. Stronger Asian voice in global fora: Joint action by India and China could amplify developing countries’ views at the UN, BRICS and SCO.
2. Reduced regional tensions: Regular leader dialogue and CBMs (confidence-building measures) can lower the risk of border flare-ups and protect trade and people-to-people ties.
3. Economic opportunities: Cooperation may promote trade, connectivity projects and easier flights — helping businesses and travelers.
4. Shift in global governance debates: The GGI pushes for changes that challenge the status quo and call for fairer, more inclusive institutions.
5. Practical expectations: The success of summit ideas depends on concrete follow-up — projects, funding, and cooperation on security and development.

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

The 2025 Tianjin SCO Summit and the Xi–Modi meeting show a pragmatic effort to stabilise China–India ties and to shape global governance debates. Words alone will not suffice, follow-up on security, trade and multilateral reforms is essential. If both countries deliver practical results, the partnership can benefit Asia and the wider developing world.