India, Aug. 2 -- Rising India and China continue to share a complex relationship marked by competition, cooperation, and geopolitical contestation. As of mid-2025, the bilateral relationship remains cautious but not devoid of engagement, characterized by calibrated diplomacy, selective decoupling, and a keen awareness of each other's strategic calculus. Recent developments, such as India's participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the opening of the KailashMansarovar Yatra route, renewed economic outreach, and resumption of visas to Chinese nationals reveal a cautious reset in ties, one that is pragmatic rather than conciliatory.
At the outset, India's participation in the SCO, especially through high-level ministerial ...