Editor's note: Abhishek G Bhaya is a senior journalist and international affairs commentator. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi began a three-day visit to India on August 18, holding talks with his Indian counterpart, in what marks Wang's first trip to the country in over three years.

On August 19, Wang is co-chairing the 24th Round of Talks Between the Special Representatives of China and India on the Boundary Question with India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He is also scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before departing for China the following morning.

Wang's visit comes ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) leadership summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1.

Against this backdrop, Wang's visit represents more than just another round of dialogue. It is a carefully calibrated diplomatic step by two Asian giants, signaling a pragmatic seeking of cooperation in their relationship amid the turbulence of massive geopolitical shifts triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's unconventional and unsettling trade and foreign policies.

Both Beijing and New Delhi recognize that while challenges remain, a stable, predictable, and constructive partnership, and cooperation between the dragon and the elephant – long seen as uneasy neighbors – have become not only a regional necessity but also a global imperative.

As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized, Beijing seeks to deliver on the leaders' "important common understandings," to sustain high-level exchanges, enhance political trust, and promote "sound and steady development" of relations.

For India, the visit represents both an opportunity and a test.

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed Wang on August 18 by stressing the "three mutuals" – mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest" as the guiding framework for ties. He candidly acknowledged the need to ensure that "differences must not become disputes, nor competition conflict."

This approach–clear-eyed yet constructive – reflects New Delhi's recognition that repairing relations with China is crucial for both national and regional stability.

Managing the boundary question with maturity

The boundary question remains the most sensitive issue between the two countries. Yet the very fact that this is the 24th round of Special Representatives' talks underscores that both sides remain committed to a process-oriented approach.

The 23rd round in Beijing last December achieved consensus on border management and cross-border exchanges, and both sides have since maintained communication channels through diplomatic and military mechanisms.

Such institutionalized management demonstrates a shift from confrontation to coexistence. By prioritizing dialogue, disengagement, and buffer arrangements in friction points along the Line of Actual Control, Beijing and New Delhi are showing that peace and tranquility on the border are the foundation upon which broader cooperation can be built.

As Wang and Doval deliberate on the boundary issue, the priority lies in preserving stability and preventing confrontation along the disputed Himalayan frontier, which saw deadly clashes in the summer of 2020 and ushered in a period of heightened tensions between the world's two most populous nations.

Experience has shown that once tangible de-escalation is achieved, it opens the door to resuming flights, facilitating cross-border trade, and enhancing connectivity – translating political trust into tangible benefits for both peoples.

Expanding cooperation beyond the border

Beyond the sensitive boundary question, the China-India agenda today is visibly broader, richer, and increasingly pragmatic. Both sides are consciously moving to reframe ties through cooperation in areas that directly affect people's lives and livelihoods.

After a brief halt, post the 2020 border clash, economic and trade issues are now back on the table, alongside the resumption of people-to-people cultural and religious exchanges such as the visit of Indian pilgrims to Xizang's "sacred mountain and lake" – long regarded as important bridges between the two civilizations.

Equally significant is the effort to enhance practical cooperation: discussions on river data-sharing for flood management, reopening of border trade routes, and facilitation of cross-border e-commerce all point to a willingness to translate stability on the ground into prosperity for local communities. Efforts to resume direct passenger flights and streamline visa procedures further demonstrate a shared intent to make connectivity easier, not just for business but also for students, professionals, and families.

These steps reflect a deliberate recalibration: by expanding cooperation in less contentious areas, Beijing and New Delhi are seeking to build mutual trust, generate tangible benefits for their citizens, and create the political momentum necessary to address more difficult issues in the future. In essence, both countries appear to be pursuing a pragmatic formula – manage differences, expand common ground, and convert stability into shared growth.

Given their structural complementarities, China and India also have much to gain by aligning in sectors such as clean energy, the digital economy, healthcare, electric mobility, and poverty alleviation. With a combined population of nearly 2.8 billion – which is more than one-third of the global population – cooperation between the two economies will not only generate jobs and investment but also strengthen regional supply-chain resilience.

Multipolarity and the Global South

The timing of Wang Yi's visit is not accidental. Globally, supply chains are being reshaped, protectionism is rising, and geopolitical frictions are multiplying. U.S. President Donald Trump slapping sweeping tariffs against India – combined with his criticism of New Delhi's oil trade with Russia – have highlighted the risks of overdependence on Western markets.

Trump has also unleashed a broader trade war against China, targeting critical sectors such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy technologies. His administration has imposed sweeping tariffs, tightened export controls, and sought to restrict China's access to cutting-edge equipment and markets. These measures are not limited to bilateral trade; they are part of a wider strategy to restructure global supply chains, compel companies to decouple from China, and preserve U.S. technological dominance.

In this environment, China and India share a strong interest in preserving strategic autonomy, resisting bloc politics, and advancing a multipolar world order. As Jaishankar noted, both countries are committed to "a fair, balanced and multi-polar world order" and "reformed multilateralism." This shared outlook is increasingly vital to amplifying the voice of the Global South.

Multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the SCO provide the necessary scaffolding. They allow Beijing and New Delhi to work together on development priorities, energy security, counterterrorism, and financial stability, while shielding the Global South from the spillover of great-power rivalry.

As Foreign Minister Wang Yi continues his discussions in New Delhi, the hope is that both sides can consolidate this hard-won momentum and take a long-term view. With careful management, the China-India relationship can evolve from one of cautious coexistence to one of confident cooperation – benefiting not just two nations, but the wider world.

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