Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday urged India and China to establish a “correct strategic understanding” and view each other as partners rather than rivals. He stressed that as major countries, both nations should set an example for other developing nations by promoting unity and strength.
According to a statement by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang highlighted China’s willingness to maintain friendly relations with India based on the principle of mutual benefit. Earlier, Wang met his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar, to discuss border security, trade, and bilateral exchanges, aiming to strengthen cooperation between the two nations.
Jaishankar stated:
“We held productive discussions on economic and trade issues, people-to-people exchanges, river data sharing, border trade, coordination, and bilateral communication. These talks will support the building of stable, cooperative, and forward-looking relations between India and China.”
Wang noted that exchanges and dialogues at all levels have gradually resumed, and bilateral relations are returning to a path of cooperation. He emphasized that India and China should see each other as partners and opportunities, not as threats or competitors.
Wang arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit, where he will participate in the 24th round of border talks with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Jaishankar highlighted the critical importance of border discussions, saying that any positive momentum in India-China relations depends on the ability to maintain joint peace in border areas. After a challenging period, both countries now aim to move forward, requiring clear and constructive approaches from both sides.
He also emphasized the need for both nations to withdraw troops from the Western Himalayas following the deadly border clash of 2020, which left 20 Indian and 4 Chinese soldiers dead.
Wang’s visit comes ahead of Modi’s trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Following talks between Xi Jinping and Modi in Russia, New Delhi and Beijing reached a milestone agreement to reduce military tension along the Himalayan border, following a period of chill in bilateral relations since October.
