Nirupama Rao and Lin Minwang on the great India-China face-off

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 AUGUST 2026 —

India-China Relations Face Deep-Seated Mistrust Amid Border Disputes, Experts Say

The latest assessment comes from a dialogue between Lin Minwang, a professor at Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies, and Nirupama Rao, a former Indian foreign secretary and ambassador to China. Their discussion, published by the South China Morning Post, highlights how decades-old narratives—shaped by the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the 2020 Galwan Valley clash—continue to dominate perceptions in both countries.

Historical Grievances Shape Current Perceptions For India, China’s military actions in 1962 and the deadly border skirmishes in 2020 have cemented the view of Beijing as an expansionist power. Rao, author of The Fractured Himalaya, argues that these events are not just historical footnotes but deeply embedded in India’s national identity. "For many Indians, the events of 1962 and all the histories written about it have left deep scars," she said. Meanwhile, Lin acknowledged that Chinese public opinion has also grown more skeptical of India, particularly after COVID-19, when access to global perspectives on China became easier.

Border Disputes Remain a Core Sticking Point The unresolved border issue—spanning 3,488 kilometers—continues to fuel mistrust. Lin argued that China is willing to negotiate but insists India must adjust its stance, while Rao countered that compartmentalizing the border dispute while pursuing other areas of cooperation is unrealistic. "We had sought to build confidence, even as the boundary remained unsettled," Rao noted. "But trust cannot exist independently because experience always intervenes."

Geopolitical Shifts Complicate Relations Both experts highlighted how India’s growing ties with the United States and China’s strategic partnerships with Pakistan further strain relations. Lin suggested that India’s democracy is often viewed in China as disorderly, while Rao countered that India’s diversity is a source of resilience. "Many Chinese observers look at India’s democracy as chaotic," she said. "But from the Indian perspective, these qualities are the very source of our resilience."

Malaysia’s Role in a Multipolar Asia While the India-China rivalry plays out globally, Malaysia—situated between both powers—must navigate the fallout carefully. Trade and investment ties with China remain critical, but Malaysia has also deepened defense and economic cooperation with India in recent years. Analysts suggest that Kuala Lumpur could leverage its neutral stance to mediate or at least mitigate tensions, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Outlook: Can Trust Be Rebuilt? Both Rao and Lin agreed that rebuilding trust requires more than diplomatic gestures—it demands a fundamental shift in how each side perceives the other. "Strategic stability should be founded on strategic empathy," Rao emphasized. Lin, however, cautioned that without a willingness to compromise on core issues like the border, progress will remain elusive. With no immediate resolution in sight, the risk of further escalation—whether through military posturing or economic decoupling—looms large.

Details not yet available on whether either side has proposed fresh dialogue mechanisms.

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