As President Trump blows hot and cold, a summit in New Delhi presents an opportunity for two giant neighbors to smooth over their differences.

China has significantly reduced the deployment of its People’s Liberation Army (PLA) forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 2025,.

India and China are tangled in yet another border dispute, angering locals in the eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.

China significantly reduced PLA deployment along the LAC in 2025, with the Defence Ministry indicating the withdrawal of 10 combined-arms brigades from the northern borders., India News, Times Now

Another big difference is in how China builds up expertise about the outside world. Until 2022 research about a country or region was spread across disciplines—a scholar might study India in the department of history before taking a doctorate in political science.

Trade between India and China has nearly doubled in five years, leaving New Delhi with a widening deficit and a difficult choice over how to build its industrial future.

The Congress leader also questioned what he described as a softening of India’s position on China’s support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and criticised the record trade deficit with China.

As part of the BRICS Summit 2026, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He will meet Abiy Ahmed Ali, PM of Ethiopia, and will also meet Anwar Ibrahim, PM of Malaysia.