“Conversations and dialogues have been going on”: MEA on ties with China

India and China continue to make progress in their diplomatic relations, with ongoing constructive engagements at various levels, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.

Addressing a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted key developments in the relationship between the two nations. He pointed out that the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan was a significant step forward, followed by productive discussions between Indian Foreign Secretary and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister. Since then, he said, India and China have remained engaged at multiple levels, including discussions involving External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

Jaiswal emphasized that conversations between both sides have been moving in the right direction. He noted that several agreements had been reached in principle, and further progress is expected in the coming days.

The high-level engagement between PM Modi and Xi took place on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 23, 2024. One of the key takeaways from these discussions was the decision to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2025. The pilgrimage, which holds immense religious significance for Hindus, had been suspended in recent years. While the finer details are still being worked out, Jaiswal confirmed that both countries had agreed to facilitate the yatra’s revival.

The MEA spokesperson also underscored broader efforts to improve India-China relations, mentioning a series of initiatives agreed upon by both nations. These include the resumption of trade through the Nathula border, cooperation on trans-border rivers, enhanced border management to maintain peace and stability, and renewed efforts to promote cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges. The broader objective, he said, is to foster a stable, predictable, and amicable relationship between the two countries.