We expect relations between India and China to remain tense, despite efforts on both sides to manage tensions since the border standoff in 2017, elevating the risk of unintentional escalation.  Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an informal summit in April 2018 to defuse tension and normalize relations, but they did not address border issues.  Misperceptions of military movements or construction might result in tensions escalating into armed conflict.

​

​

SOURCE:   "WORLDWIDE THREAT ASSESSMENT OF THE U.S. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY."  JANUARY 29, 2019