During a recent visit to Delhi, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the importance of India and China viewing each other as "partners" rather than adversaries. This dialogue comes amid a backdrop of strained relations, particularly following deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley in 2020 that significantly impacted bilateral ties. Meeting with his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, Wang conveyed optimism regarding the current "positive trend" towards cooperation between the two nations.
The discussions covered a wide range of topics, from trade initiatives to spiritual pilgrimages and river data sharing. Wang's visit also included consultations with India's National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, focusing on ongoing negotiations to resolve the boundary disputes that have long plagued the relationship. With an optimistic tone, Wang remarked that "stability has now been restored at the borders," acknowledging past setbacks as counterproductive to both countries' interests.
This visit marks a significant step towards thawing relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Since agreeing to de-escalate border tensions last year, both India and China have undertaken measures to normalize relations, including resuming pilgrimage routes for Indian citizens to Tibet and restarting visa services for Chinese tourists. Reports indicate that direct flights between the nations may resume in the near future.
Wang's discussions are also pivotal as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his first visit to China in seven years, scheduled to coincide with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Speculation suggests that Modi may engage in bilateral discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, yet these talks remain unconfirmed by both parties.
The strengthening ties between India and China occur amid India's deteriorating relations with the United States. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed significant tariffs on Indian imports for engaging with Russia, triggering criticism from U.S. officials regarding India's relationships with China and Russia. In light of these developments, Jaishankar reaffirmed India's quest for a multilateral world order as essential for stability in the global economy.
In summary, Wang Yi's remarks during his visit signal a potential turning point for China-India relations, emphasizing collaborative efforts to address mutual challenges while navigating the complexities of their international relationships.
