# China and India Share South Asian Goals

> China and India now align on regional cooperation despite border tensions.
- Title: China and India Share South Asian Goals · Foreign Policy
- Summary: China and India now align on regional cooperation despite border tensions. China and India are working together on shared South Asian infrastructure and…
- Keywords: south asia, china, india, brics summit, himalayan water diplomacy, sino-indian relations, south asian association for regional coo, trade agreements, infrastructure projects, climate resilience, Share, South
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/10/14/china-india-south-asia-regional-framework
- Author: Chietigj Bajpaee
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: south asia, china, india, brics summit, himalayan water diplomacy, sino-indian relations, south asian association for regional coo, trade agreements, infrastructure projects, climate resilience
## 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.
## Key takeaway

China and India are working together on shared South Asian infrastructure and climate projects to strengthen regional stability.