Mon Jan 12 17:35:55 UTC 2026: # India and China Resume High-Level Dialogue: RSS to Host CPC Delegation

The Story:
In a significant development signaling a potential thaw in relations, a delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Vice-Minister Sun Haiyan, is scheduled to meet with senior officials of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in New Delhi on January 13, 2026. This marks the first such interaction since the Galwan conflict in 2020 and follows the improvement of India-China ties in 2024. The meeting is being framed as an attempt to build confidence between the two countries during the RSS’s centenary year.

The CPC delegation’s visit includes meetings with leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where discussions focused on strengthening inter-party communication. A meeting with a Congress delegation, led by Salman Khurshid, is also anticipated.

Key Points:

  • A CPC delegation, led by Sun Haiyan, will meet senior RSS officials on January 13, 2026 in New Delhi.
  • This is the first such meeting since the 2020 Galwan conflict.
  • The meeting is being framed as a confidence-building measure during the RSS’s centenary year.
  • The CPC delegation also met with BJP leaders, including Arun Singh, to discuss inter-party communication, with Chinese Ambassador to India H.E. Xu Feihong also participating.
  • A meeting with a Congress delegation is expected.
  • The RSS did not invite Chinese representatives to its centenary year celebrations or lectures in August 2025.

Critical Analysis:
The resumption of high-level dialogue, particularly involving the RSS, suggests a deliberate attempt by both India and China to manage their relationship through multiple channels. The RSS’s involvement highlights the importance of ideological considerations and the desire for broader engagement beyond purely governmental interactions. The timing, following a period of tension and a subsequent “thaw,” points to a strategic recalculation on both sides, potentially driven by economic or geopolitical factors.

Key Takeaways:

  • India and China are actively seeking to stabilize and improve their relationship through multiple channels, including party-to-party dialogue.
  • The RSS’s involvement indicates a desire for broader engagement beyond governmental interactions.
  • The resumption of dialogue signals a shift from the strained relations following the 2020 Galwan conflict.
  • The meetings with both BJP and Congress delegations suggest a bipartisan effort to manage relations with China.
  • Despite the meeting, the fact that Chinese representatives were not invited to prior RSS events shows there are still challenges and sensitivities in the relationship.

Impact Analysis:
This event series can have a significant long-term impact on India-China relations. Successfully building confidence through these dialogues could lead to greater cooperation on economic and diplomatic fronts. The engagement between political parties, particularly the BJP and CPC, can potentially foster a deeper understanding of each other’s perspectives. However, any failure to address core issues or a breakdown in communication could exacerbate existing tensions and undermine the fragile progress made. Monitoring the outcomes of these meetings and subsequent developments will be crucial to understanding the long-term trajectory of India-China relations.

Read More

Related News: