An improvement in relations (7)
I believe the answer is:
detente
'an improvement in relations' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for detente that I've seen before include "Slackening of tension" , "Easing of hostility between nations" , "Easing of hostility between countries" , "Easing of international hostility" , "Thaw in relations" .)