The relationship between India-China has been defined by two major Asian powers with their own economic and geopolitical interests in one another along with dispute along the Himalayas.
There have been years of military tension between India and China and there have been efforts to cautiously stabilize them. The latest signal came on August 25, when Indian National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi held a round of talks on the dispute.
The discussions focused on peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and renewed efforts towards a long-term solution. As of now, no major breakthrough has been announced, but the talk itself signals a willingness to prevent border tensions in the future.
But the rivalry is still alive, India and China continue to compete strategically across Asia, while India maintains close partnerships with the United States, Japan and Australia. Economic ties are also complicated, with India seeking greater self-reliance while continuing to trade with China.
A possible visit by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, to India for the upcoming BRICS summit could provide another opportunity for engagement, discussions and a possible solution.
But for now, this is less of a complete reset and more of a cautious recalculation. Border peace can't tackle with a history of mistrust, but it could give both countries some much needed breathing room to be able to manage competition without allowing it to become confrontational.