China has assured India that it will address three of New Delhi’s pressing concerns — fertilisers, rare earths, and tunnel boring machines, sources said on Monday.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed the assurance during talks with External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar, who had earlier flagged these issues during his July visit to Beijing.
Wang Yi arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a two-day official visit. In his opening remarks, Jaishankar underlined that discussions would cover a wide range of issues including economic and trade ties, pilgrimages, people-to-people contacts, river data sharing, border trade, connectivity, and bilateral exchanges.
Jaishankar also emphasised that both countries, as major economies and close neighbours, must avoid restrictive trade measures. “Stable and constructive ties between India and China are not only to our benefit, but also to that of the world. This is best achieved by handling relations on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity,” he said.
The EAM further noted that differences must not be allowed to turn into disputes, nor competition into conflict, highlighting that Wang Yi’s visit offers an opportunity to review bilateral ties and discuss global challenges of common interest.
Relations between India and China have been under strain since the 2020 standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. While disengagement agreements have eased tensions at certain friction points, New Delhi continues to press for steps towards de-escalation. Recently, the two sides agreed on new patrolling arrangements along the LAC, marking incremental progress.
The visit also comes against the backdrop of shifting global geopolitics, including the Ukraine conflict and US trade tariffs, with Jaishankar stressing the need for greater stability in the global economy.
Wang Yi’s trip precedes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin later this month.
