Sweet and Sour! Easing Complex Ties between India and China

In the shadow of one of the world’s most contested frontiers, where snow-capped peaks hide decades of rivalry, a quiet ritual unfolds each year: soldiers from India and China step forward across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to exchange boxes of sweets. Amid frozen winds and watchful eyes, this simple gesture—sweets for Diwali, sweets for the Lunar New Year—carries a powerful message of shared humanity, a fleeting sweetness amid persistent sourness.

On October 1, 2025, a sweet exchange ceremony was organised at Bumla Pass in Tawang, located in the Northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. While witnessing the arrangements between the Indian and Chinese soldiers, a thought struck me about the pinch of effort both countries put into sweetening the sourness of India-China relations.

India and China, the world’s two most populous nations and emerging superpowers, together represent over 35% of the global population (Council on Foreign Relations). As per the UN, India surpassed China as the world’s most populous country in April 2023. Both countries have demonstrated significant cultural and political prowess, marked by rich histories spanning thousands of years. Despite recent trade collaborations, India-China relations are often seen as a mix of rivalry and cooperation—a blend of sweet and sour.

As Indian citizens, it’s essential not to underestimate the areas in which India and China have demonstrated both collaboration and disagreement.

The Council on Foreign Relations cites several facts about India-China relations that illustrate why both countries are emerging superpowers. Here are a few examples that can be considered “sweet”:

The two countries are major powerhouses in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the economic and political domains, making a significant mark in international governance and trade. In April 2025, India and China combined contributed 28 percent of the world’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by purchasing power parity. China has been a champion in world trade since 2009, whereas India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

Despite their strengths in these areas, both countries share a history of disputed border issues.

The Council on Foreign Relations also highlights some negative aspects that have pushed both countries into border crises and soured India-China relations.

The Line of Actual Control (LAC) has been a demarcation line since the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The conflict arose when China built a highway in Aksai Chin (in the Ladakh region), connecting Tibet and Xinjiang.

India responded by deploying troops across the disputed border, forcing Chinese troops to retreat from Aksai Chin and the North-East Frontier Agency (now part of Arunachal Pradesh).

China even claims Arunachal Pradesh as Zangnan or South Tibet. In a major escalation along the LAC bordering Ladakh, Tibet, and Xinjiang in 2020, around twenty Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops were killed, heightening alarming border tensions between the two countries.

However, an agreement was reached between India and China to end the military standoff across the LAC, fostering better cooperation and communication.

Some of India’s strategic policies to counter China’s aggression, particularly toward the North-Eastern region, are worth mentioning here.

India has taken major steps through the ‘Look East Policy’ (1991) and the ‘Act East Policy’ (2014) to strengthen ties with its Southeast Asian counterparts. To counter China’s assertiveness, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Act East Policy’ to deepen India’s strategic engagements with the Indo-Pacific and East Asia. While the ‘Look East Policy’ primarily aimed at economic integration, the ‘Act East Policy’ focused on the 4 Cs: Culture, Connectivity, Commerce, and Capacity Building.

The ‘Act East Policy’ marks a shift from passive observation to proactive action, boosting the earlier policy with a more Northeast-driven approach. It aims to transform the region into a cultural and economic hub for increased trade, investment, cultural exchange, and better connectivity with ASEAN nations. From “looking” to “acting,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a proactive stance in bringing India’s North-Eastern region into the global limelight.

Recent developments in world politics have also drawn India and China closer.

In 2025, US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on imports from India and China, among many other countries. The tariff war escalated when he imposed a total tariff of 130% on China and 50% on India. Paradoxically, this led to closer bonds between India and China. In the same year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India in August to discuss border stability, strengthened economic relations, regional security, and the boundary issue. The discussions were held with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Subsequently, the BRICS countries (which include India and China) grew closer in bilateral ties following President Trump’s tariff policy. The trilateral between India, Russia, and China is also attracting global attention amid geopolitical tensions.

India assumes the BRICS presidency in 2026, succeeding Brazil, as it steers the de-escalation of global trade tensions and the evolution of geopolitical alignments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s international tours and powerful diplomatic dialogues have established him as a world leader, bringing India into the global limelight. Yet he never underestimates the dedication of soldiers.

The sweet exchange is a goodwill gesture aimed primarily at ensuring peace and friendship between the two countries. This ceremony takes place annually during festivals, including Diwali and the Lunar New Year, to enable open communication between soldiers despite political complexities. The practice also improves coordination among soldiers and promotes respect for each other’s traditions and cultural values.

We sleep well each night because thousands of soldiers protect us from enemies. The high altitude and extreme alertness are not for the faint-hearted! These goodwill gestures allow them to breathe with the belief that they, too, are being protected.

The strategic initiative of sweet exchange ceremonies is a welcome gesture to defuse recurring border contests between India and China. As a layperson, these gestures give us assurance of a peaceful life in a country often burdened by border tensions. In 2026, may such goodwill gestures advance further, helping countries build strong alliances in pursuit of the greater goal of world peace.

Moushumi Mahanta is a freelance journalist based in Guwahati with a decade of expertise in media and communication field.  She can be reached at: moushumi.mahanta@gmail.com