From Foreign Policy · Chietigj Bajpaee · · 2m
China and India Share South Asian Goals
China and India now align on regional cooperation despite border tensions.
In brief
China and India now align on regional cooperation despite border tensions. China and India are working together on shared South Asian infrastructure and climate projects to strengthen regional stability. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
China-India Relations Reset
China and India have reset bilateral and international relations after a border conflict in 2020.
BRICS Summit Pivotal
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India for the first time in seven years at the BRICS summit in New Delhi on Sept 12, 2026.
Border Tensions Ease
Direct flights and visa restrictions resumed after a six-year gap following the 2020 border flare-up.
Eight-Point Consensus
Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reached an eight-point consensus on border issues in August.
Nepal Floods Highlight Need
Recent flash floods in Nepal triggered by glacial collapse near China’s border require shared water management.
Himalayan Climate Mechanism
Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah called for a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism led by Nepal, China, and India.
Regional Infrastructure Projects
China is modernizing Mongla Port in Bangladesh and financing Sri Lanka’s Colombo International Container Terminal.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
China launched the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in 2015 to bypass India’s influence in South Asia.
Koshi Corridor Project
India’s Export-Import Bank and China are co-financing Nepal’s Koshi Corridor highway and power transmission project.
Afghanistan and Myanmar Stabilization
China and India both aim to stabilize Afghanistan and Myanmar through joint efforts despite differing political factions.
Water Resource Alignment
China and India are aligning on shared river systems including the Brahmaputra/Yarlung Tsangpo river.
Hydrological Data Agreement
China and India resumed sharing hydrological data and revived an expert-level trans-border river mechanism.
South Asian Regional Architecture
South Asia’s hub-and-spoke political geography makes India central to regional stability despite tensions.
SAARC Summit Breakdown
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) hasn’t held a summit since 2014 due to India-Pakistan tensions.
Multilateral Development Approach
Most South Asian countries pursue multilateral development with both China and India to maintain autonomy.
Strategic Alignment Opportunity
China and India can strengthen regional stability through shared infrastructure and climate initiatives in South Asia.
In short
China and India are working together on shared South Asian infrastructure and climate projects to strengthen regional stability.
