- Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met Indian NSA Ajit Doval in Beijing as cooperation between the two countries gradually resumes.
- Both sides said they are jointly committed to maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas and resuming institutional exchanges and cooperation.
- Ties have improved since a deadly 2020 clash, including resumption of direct flights and border trade despite lingering distrust.
- High level border talks resumed annually in 2024 after a five year hiatus; another round will be held in India next year.
China’s top diplomat said cooperation with India was “gradually resuming” as he met New Delhi’s security chief in Beijing on Tuesday for talks on their countries’ contentious shared Himalayan border.
“The two countries are gradually resuming institutional exchanges and cooperation, and are jointly committed to maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
The Asian giants share a 3,500-kilometre (2,175-mile) border, and have in the past accused each other of trying to seize territory.
Despite lingering distrust, ties between the neighbours have gradually improved since a deadly border clash in 2020, including through the resumption of direct flights and border trade.
“The two sides should draw lessons from history… and press ahead, avoiding stagnation, regression, or veering off course,” Wang added, according to the statement.
The officials also discussed improving border control and advancing cross-border cooperation, along with “international and regional issues of mutual concern”, the statement said.
The border meeting came ahead of a BRICS summit next month that New Delhi hopes Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend.
The talks have been held annually since formal high-level discussions resumed in 2024 after a five-year hiatus.
On Tuesday, officials agreed to hold another round of border talks in India next year.
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