India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said relations with China are better than in 2025 and 2024, arguing that ties are normalising as the disputed border returns to calm after the 2020 standoff. Speaking at the Asia Society (a New York-based non-profit promoting ties between the US and Asia) on 28 September 2026, he said the state of the border determines the state of the relationship and that a prolonged rift only benefits third parties. He also said the world is becoming more multipolar, with countries de-risking and seeking new partners as the US shifts its approach and holds talks with China.