The epic bust-up between China and India could be ending
Witness calm in the Himalayas, diplomatic charm offensives and thickening trade links
![Photomontage of Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping. Modi is at the top and Xi is at the bottom flipped upside down. Across the middle is a pair of hands in a handshake.](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240720_ASD001.jpg)
Ask an Indian diplomat about relations with China and they will repeat a well-rehearsed mantra: there can be no return to normality until peace is restored on their disputed Himalayan border. That has been the official line for most of the time since 2020, when a deadly clash occurred there between Indian and Chinese troops. On the face of it, India’s stance is a rejection of China’s suggestion that the two countries should set aside the dispute, which has pushed India closer to America, and focus on areas of mutual interest.
Explore more
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “From break-up to make-up? ”
More from Asia
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240914_ASP501.jpg)
The scary new map of the South China Sea
Fresh fights over reefs and shoals test America’s credibility
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240907_ASP003.jpg)
Could Japan and South Korea finally become friends?
Younger generations are less concerned with their countries shared history
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240907_ASP503.jpg)
Taiwan is trying to learn from the wars in Gaza and Ukraine
Could it repel a potential Chinese invasion?
Myanmar’s military junta is battered by Chinese-backed forces
The Brotherhood Alliance continues its string of shock victories
Why Indonesia’s horror films are booming
Directors such as Joko Anwar are taking old ghost stories to new heights
Welcome to India, where the streets have four names
Constantly renaming cities, roads and stations is pointless and counterproductive