The obvious question is: why are both countries suddenly trying to resolve their differences and reset the relationship?

The answer, in large part, lies beyond Beijing and New Delhi, in the turbulent waters of global geopolitics. Donald Trump’s second run as President of the United States has brought back transactional foreign policy and global unpredictability. India is increasingly irritated by Donald Trump’s repeated claims of having single-handedly averted a “nuclear war" between India and Pakistan. His offhand remarks – including statements like “I love Pakistan" – are seen in New Delhi as tone-deaf and diplomatically reckless. Such remarks have only reinforced the perception that Trump views the Indian subcontinent more as a stage for self-promotion than a region requiring nuanced diplomacy.

Therefore, in a world where Washington’s unreliability as a security partner has been proven, India is prudently choosing to calm its most significant and immediate continental frontier. New Delhi is signaling that it will not be a pawn in great power competition but will proactively shape its own environment on its own terms.

In this light, Dr Jaishankar’s visit to China was a projection of India’s strategic autonomy. This is a principle New Delhi has championed as it navigates an increasingly multipolar world by engaging with multiple powers to secure its interests. Jaishankar’s message was unambiguous: India is ready to move forward, but not by erasing the past. After all, the foundations for a stable relationship must be built on mutual respect. And for India, this means........

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