China urges mutual understanding in ties with India, says foreign minister

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the need for China and India to work together, explore substantive measures, and commit to mutual understanding during his meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Beijing on Monday, according to a report by Reuters.

The discussion comes as both nations seek to build on recent efforts to ease tensions following their longstanding border disputes.

According to a readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang underscored the importance of ‘mutual support and mutual achievement’ over ‘suspicion’ and ‘alienation,’ calling for a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two Asian giants, Reuters reported.

The meeting marks the latest in a series of high-level engagements following an October 2024 agreement aimed at reducing tensions along their disputed Himalayan frontier. Relations between the two neighbors have been strained since the deadly 2020 border clash in the Galwan Valley, which resulted in casualties on both sides and brought military and diplomatic relations to a low point.

However, recent diplomatic initiatives have signaled a shift in approach. In December 2024, Wang met with India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, in their second meeting within five months. The discussions centered on managing the border issue and enhancing mutual trust. These efforts align with the October agreement that facilitated troop disengagement at two critical standoff points in the Ladakh region, introducing scheduled patrols to prevent further confrontations.

Tensions between China and India have long been fueled by unresolved border disputes, economic competition, and geopolitical alignments. Despite efforts to resolve military standoffs through dialogue, mutual distrust has persisted, impacting economic and strategic cooperation. The latest round of diplomatic engagements, including an October 2024 meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Russia, suggests a mutual desire to stabilize ties.

The two nations have competing interests across regional and global platforms, including influence in the Indo-Pacific, connectivity initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and India’s growing partnerships with Western powers, notably the United States. Recent developments, including China’s infrastructure build-up near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and India’s strategic military alliances, continue to be key points of friction.

However, both sides have expressed willingness to focus on economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and regional stability. Analysts suggest that tangible progress in border management and trade relations will be critical in shaping the future of China-India relations.

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