Beijing: India-China relations are showing signs of positive momentum toward renewed cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, emphasizing that the two nations should see each other as partners rather than rivals.
Wang, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday, made the remarks during his meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, official media reported on Tuesday. His visit precedes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned trip to China for the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
During the meeting, Wang highlighted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India and suggested that lessons from the past could guide the way forward—a reference to the over four-year freeze in relations following the Eastern Ladakh standoff.
He stressed the importance of correct strategic perceptions, urging both sides to view each other as partners and opportunities rather than rivals or threats. “Valuable resources should be invested in development and revitalisation,” Wang said, according to state-run Xinhua.
He further suggested that the two nations explore ways for major neighbouring countries to coexist with mutual respect and trust, pursue common development, and achieve win-win cooperation. China, Wang added, is committed to the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, and seeks to work with India and other neighbours to build a peaceful, secure, prosperous, and friendly region.
Wang also called for confidence, collaboration, and the removal of barriers to expand cooperation and consolidate the positive momentum in bilateral relations. He noted that such efforts could make the revitalisation of the two great Eastern civilizations mutually beneficial, providing stability and certainty to Asia and the wider world.
Following the talks, both countries agreed to maintain the momentum of bilateral ties. Wang’s visit is part of ongoing efforts to rebuild the relationship after the strain caused by the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020.
In a subtle critique of the United States, Wang, also a member of the Communist Party’s Political Bureau, said the world is rapidly changing, with unilateral bullying practices and challenges to free trade and the international order at the forefront.
He highlighted that as the two largest developing countries, with a combined population exceeding 2.8 billion, China and India should demonstrate global responsibility, set an example for developing nations, and promote world multipolarisation and the democratisation of international relations.
Wang noted that both sides are following their leaders’ consensus, gradually resuming dialogue, maintaining border peace, and enabling Indian pilgrims to visit sacred sites in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.
A key purpose of Wang’s visit is to hold a new round of Special Representatives (SR) talks on the boundary issue with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Both Wang and Doval serve as designated SRs for the border dialogue mechanism. Doval last visited China in December to hold the 23rd round of talks, following the decision by Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, to revive various bilateral dialogue mechanisms during the BRICS summit.
