China’s FM Wang Yi meets PM Modi as Delhi, Beijing seek to reset ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi on Tuesday during his India visit as the two neighbouring nations seek to reset their relations after having strained ties following the violent clashes between troops of the two nations along the border in 2020. The Chinese FM’s visit is being seen as an effort to put the relationship back on track at a time of global economic turmoil amid the threat of tariff wars.

The efforts to reset ties become vital since US President Donald Trump’s recent moves to impose tariffs on both China and India. By imposing tariffs, Trump may have inadvertently set the stage for an unlikely improvement in India-China relations due to economic compulsions.

Wang Yi handed over a message and invitation from President Xi to the Prime Minister for the SCO Summit being held in Tianjin. He also shared his positive assessment of his bilateral meeting with EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and the 24th Meeting of the Special Representatives, which he co-chaired with NSA Ajit Doval.

PM Modi emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity on the border and reiterated India's commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question.

The PM also welcomed the steady and positive progress in bilateral ties since his meeting with President Xi in Kazan last year, guided by mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity, including the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.

PM Modi thanked President Xi for the invitation to the SCO Summit and conveyed his acceptance. He expressed support for China’s presidency of the SCO Summit and said that he looked forward to meeting President Xi in Tianjin. The PM underlined that stable, predictable, and constructive ties between India and China will contribute significantly to regional and global peace and prosperity.

Before calling on Prime Minister Modi, Wang held talks with the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on a range of issues, including the border situation, trade, and resumption of flight services.

During the meeting with Wang Yi on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that “having seen a difficult period in our relationship… our two nations now seek to move ahead.”

Wang Yi’s visit comes ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s expected trip to Tianjin, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit from August 31 to September 1.