MANILA — India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday that peace and tranquillity along their disputed border was a prerequisite for normal bilateral ties, while pressing Beijing on market access, the trade imbalance and supply-chain concerns.
The ministers met in Manila on the sidelines of ASEAN-related meetings, as the two nuclear-armed neighbours seek to improve relations strained by a deadly 2020 border clash. Jaishankar said the relationship should be based on mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, according to India’s foreign ministry.
Jaishankar also raised New Delhi’s concerns over fair market access and the trade imbalance, Reuters reported. India imported about $132 billion in goods from China in the fiscal year 2025/26, with the trade deficit exceeding $100 billion, according to trade data cited by Reuters.
The talks come amid a gradual easing of tensions, including the resumption of direct flights and steps to facilitate visas. Border trade is also set to resume from Aug. 1 after a six-year hiatus, according to Reuters.
China and India have also maintained diplomatic and military communication on their border. In May, officials from both countries held their 35th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs and agreed to maintain peace and continue preparations for further talks on the boundary question, China’s foreign ministry said.
The latest meeting concluded with the two sides continuing efforts to manage differences and improve ties; further details of any agreements were not immediately available.
