The Future of China-India relations

MERICS is honored to welcome one of India’s most experienced diplomats, a distinguished author and a leading China expert to Berlin. Vijay Gokhale served as India’s Foreign Secretary from 2018 to 2020 and as Ambassador to China and Germany. He is the author of several critically acclaimed books, including „The Long Game – How the Chinese negotiate with India“ und „After Tiananmen – The Rise of China“.

Relations between Asia's two most populous nations and, potentially, its largest economies by 2030, have been fraught with tension and uncertainty following a series of incidents along the India-China border areas since 2013. The promise of stability and peace between them after the ending of the Cold War has not materialized. What was the framework that India and China established after 1990 to create a stable equilibrium between them in the heart of Asia? Why did it not hold firm in the 21st century? Is it broken or can it be salvaged? How do other Asian countries view the relationship? And what will India-China relations look like in the decade ahead?

We discussed these and other issues with Vijay Gokhale in a trusted circle of MERICS Members and key stakeholders.

The event was in person. To ensure confidential discussions, online participation was not possible.