Addressing an audience in Chennai on September 15, 2025, T.S. Tirumurti, India’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, emphasized a critical shift in Indo-China relations. He noted that while a ‘normal’ framework had largely prevailed since 1962, China’s emergence as a formidable global superpower is fundamentally altering the dynamics of this bilateral relationship.
During the launch of “China: Indian Perspectives on China’s Politics, Economy, and Foreign Relations,” a new book from The Hindu Publishing Group, Tirumurti explained the profound implications of this transformation. For the first time, India finds itself bordering a nation with superpower aspirations, a reality that necessitates a complete re-evaluation of engagement strategies. He explicitly stated, “The old template is not enough, and we need to develop a new one to deal with China in both these avatars.”
Tirumurti advocated for a more sophisticated policy framework. “India needs to implement a far more nuanced set of policies rather than merely basing our relations on the progress of border disputes as the sole indicator of goodwill,” he remarked. He also stressed the importance of addressing pressing concerns such as trade imbalances, ensuring fair access for Indian goods and services, and actively working towards de-escalation, all crucial steps before any new ‘normal’ can be established between the two nations.
The newly released book, expertly curated by Ananth Krishnan, Director of The Hindu Publishing Group, features twelve insightful essays from a diverse group of former diplomats, business leaders, and scholars. These contributions delve into a broad spectrum of topics, including China’s evolving political landscape, its dynamic technology sector, economic and trade relations, the historical progression of Indo-China ties, and Beijing’s ongoing military modernization. Krishnan underscored the book’s relevance, describing it as a vital snapshot of contemporary China as it navigates complex trajectories: rapid ascent in the technological value chain contrasted with significant economic challenges, managing geopolitical tensions with the U.S. and neighboring countries, and successfully expanding its influence across Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
N. Ram, also a Director at The Hindu Publishing Group, recalled a significant turning point in India-China relations following the 1962 conflict: Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to China in 1988. This landmark event paved the way for a remarkable increase in bilateral trade, soaring from 600 million USD in the early 1990s to an impressive 140 billion USD today. Ram acknowledged that the persistent boundary dispute remains a formidable challenge, likely requiring considerable time to resolve due to domestic policy-making limitations in both nations.
Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson of The Hindu Publishing Group, highlighted the book’s timely significance, especially given the evolving global order. She noted that the current geopolitical shifts offer a crucial opportunity to re-examine perceptions of China through a fresh lens.
B. Santhanam, an Independent Director at The Hindu Publishing Group, emphasized the deep, practical technical expertise of Chinese entrepreneurs, particularly their commitment to full-stack development. He suggested that as India strives to advance its value chain in critical sectors like semiconductors, solar energy, and mobility, adopting an entrepreneurial mindset is paramount. This, he argued, should take precedence over a state-driven, policy-centric approach in shaping strategic thought.
The event also featured insights from Suresh Nambath, Editor of The Hindu; Narayan Lakshman, Opinion Page Editor of The Hindu; and Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor of The Hindu, who contributed to the discussion.