Despite a China-India thaw, military relations are stuck in 2020
Quick Look
Despite renewed diplomatic engagement, reopened border trade, restarted flights, and pilgrimage access between China and India, military-to-military communication remains stalled since the 2020 Galwan clash, raising questions about trust and regional stability.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Sino-Indian military relationship deteriorated after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in casualties on both sides. Since then, diplomatic and economic engagement has gradually resumed, including leader meetings, reopened trade routes, and restarted flights, but military communication channels remain inactive.
Despite a China-India thaw, military relations are stuck in 2020
Xi and Modi have shaken hands, border trade has reopened and direct flights have restarted – but their armies are still not talking to each other
Gaurav Kumar is a researcher at the Centre for Professional Military Education in the United Service Institution of India, New Delhi.
Published: 5:30am, 12 Oct 2026
Chinese President Xi Jinping has met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi three times in the past three years. Indian pilgrims are back at Kailash, the Tibetan mountain sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. Air China has restarted flights to New Delhi. But can trust grow between two armies that meet only in a crisis?
And why does the Pentagon now talk to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) more easily than India’s army does?
In September, Xi made his first visit to India in nearly seven years; Beijing says it wants both countries to be “good neighbours and friends”. Later that month, US President Donald Trump hosted Xi at the White House. Two capitals welcomed Xi. But only one lets its army talk properly to China’s.
The Sino-Indian thaw has reached everything except the military. Direct flights have returned after nearly six years. Three border trading points have reopened and trade now stands at more than US$100 billion a year. Leaders, traders and pilgrims cross the Himalayas. Why not soldiers?
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Military-to-military talks between China and India will remain stalled unless a new border incident triggers renewed dialogue
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific barriers prevent military-to-military talks between China and India?
- Is there a timeline or condition under which army-level dialogue might resume?
- How does the U.S. military's engagement with the PLA compare in frequency and substance to India's?
