The meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliament related to the Ministry of External Affairs was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Shashi Tharoor. India-China relations were discussed in this meeting. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed the committee about the changes and improvement in relations between the two countries since the aggressive incident on the border in 2020. During this, officials of the Ministry of External Affairs presented a detailed report of the events of the last 5 years before the committee.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials said that after years of tension, India-China relations have now entered a phase of cautious normalization, in which several high-level meetings held last year have played an important role. The committee members raised several concerns and sought information on India’s long-term strategy to deal with China’s increasingly aggressive policy. The greater emphasis of the committee members was on knowing whether and how India would face China’s growing influence and dominance in various areas. Also, what counter actions are being taken from India’s side?
Written answers to questions asked during the meeting
Members were assured that the recent diplomatic activities are part of a balanced and phased effort by both countries to stabilize relations after years of mistrust. Foreign Ministry officials said that they will give written answers to the questions asked during the meeting. In the background note to members, officials particularly emphasized the importance of the Modishi meeting in Kazan on 23 October 2024 — the first full delegation-level meeting in nearly 5 years.
Bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Xi
In this meeting, both the leaders decided strategic guidelines and achieved disengagement on all the remaining disputed points on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). During his visit to India, Wang Yi also met the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the NSA, while bilateral talks between the two countries continued on the sidelines of major global forums. During the year 2025, several senior Indian ministers visited China for SCO-related events, followed by a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi in Beijing on 31 August 2025, in which the two leaders particularly appreciated the public-to-public contact.
Kailash Manasarovar Yatra postponed for 5 years resumes
Officials told the committee that after the disruptions of the COVID period, many dialogue mechanisms have been revived in the political, economic, cultural and commercial fields. A major milestone was the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in mid-2025, which was postponed for almost 5 years and which has now resumed through both the Lipulekh and Nathu La routes.
Air services resumed between India and China
Officials told the committee that direct air services between the two countries have also been restored, in which IndiGo restarted the Kolkata-Guangzhou service on 26 October 2025 and is going to start the second flight to Delhi-Guangzhou this month. Members were assured that recent diplomatic activities reflect a balanced and orderly effort by both countries to stabilize relations after years of mistrust.
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