Why Is India Becoming China’s Necessity? 4 Reasons Behind Xi Jinping’s India Visit
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit is being viewed as a significant development in international diplomacy. Relations between India and China suffered a major setback following the violent clash in the Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh on June 15, 2020.
Against this backdrop of prolonged border tensions, Xi’s visit raises an important question: Why does China now see closer engagement with India as increasingly important despite the unresolved differences between the two countries?
Here are four major factors that could explain Beijing’s growing need to engage with New Delhi:
1. Economic Challenges and India’s Huge Market
China is facing several domestic economic challenges, including slower growth and pressure on its economy. At the same time, the US and European countries have been tightening tariffs and imposing restrictions affecting Chinese products and supply chains.
This has increased Beijing’s need to maintain access to large and growing markets. India, one of the world’s major fast-growing economies, offers significant opportunities because of its huge demand for electronics, machinery, components and other Chinese-made products.
For China, maintaining stable economic ties with India could therefore become increasingly important as pressure from Western markets grows.
2. India’s Growing Influence in the Global South
India’s influence among developing and emerging economies has expanded significantly in recent years. Beijing understands that it cannot strengthen its position in Asia or claim greater leadership within the Global South while ignoring India’s growing global stature.
India’s independent foreign policy and its emphasis on a multipolar world have also enabled it to maintain strong engagement with both Western and developing nations.
For China, cooperation with India on platforms such as BRICS can therefore help strengthen its own position and credibility among emerging economies.
3. US Tariffs and Growing Western Pressure
Tougher US trade policies and the possibility of additional tariffs have added to China’s economic concerns. If Western pressure on Chinese trade and investment intensifies, Beijing will have greater reason to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with regional partners.
In this situation, maintaining peace and stability along the India-China border could offer China strategic as well as economic advantages.
A reduction in tensions would also create a more favourable environment for trade and broader bilateral engagement.
4. Need to Ease Border Tensions and Restore Trade
The Galwan Valley clash prompted India to take several measures affecting Chinese businesses, including banning a number of Chinese apps, tightening investment rules and adopting a firmer approach along the border.
These steps had an impact on Chinese companies and bilateral economic activity.
China now has an interest in using dialogue and existing patrolling agreements to reduce tensions and restore a degree of normalcy along the border. A more stable relationship could eventually make it easier for trade and business ties to recover.
Why India Matters to China
Xi Jinping’s visit to New Delhi is therefore significant beyond its formal diplomatic purpose. It comes at a time when China is dealing with economic pressures, growing Western restrictions and a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
India’s economic strength, strategic importance and expanding influence in the Global South make it increasingly difficult for Beijing to overlook New Delhi.
The message is clear: for China, engaging with India is no longer merely a diplomatic choice—it is becoming an important strategic and economic necessity.
