NewDelhi – India – August 20, 2025
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded a two-day official visit to India yesterday, with both nations signaling a renewed commitment to de-escalate tensions and improve bilateral ties. The high-level talks, which included a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focused on the long-standing border dispute in the Himalayas and explored broader areas of cooperation. The visit is seen as a crucial step towards mending relations that have been strained since the 2020 border clashes.
Wang Yi, who also serves as China’s Special Representative on the boundary question, co-chaired the 24th round of Special Representatives’ dialogue with India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval. Both sides described the talks as “positive and constructive” and noted that peace and tranquility have largely been maintained in the border areas since the last round of discussions.
Key Outcomes of the Discussions:
* Early Harvest for Delimitation: A significant outcome was the agreement to establish an Expert Group under the existing Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC). This group will explore “early harvest” steps for boundary delimitation, a move aimed at making concrete progress on a decades-old issue.
* Resumption of Border Trade: To foster economic and people-to-people connections, both countries agreed to reopen border trade through three key mountain passes: Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh, and Nathu La in Sikkim.
* Resuming Direct Flights: The two nations also committed to resuming direct flight connectivity, which has been suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic. They will work to finalize a new Air Services Agreement and facilitate visas for tourists, businesspersons, and media.
* Addressing Concerns: During his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Minister Wang addressed India’s concerns regarding the construction of a mega-dam in Tibet on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra river). China committed to strengthening cooperation on trans-border rivers and sharing hydrological information during emergencies.
* High-Level Exchange: Prime Minister Modi met with Wang Yi and reportedly hailed the “steady progress” in relations. Modi accepted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s invitation to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin later this month, marking his first visit to China in seven years.
The visit comes amidst a shifting global landscape, including recent U.S. tariff actions against both India and China, which may be a contributing factor to the renewed diplomatic push between the two Asian powers. While the talks did not produce a final resolution to the border dispute, the agreements on trade, travel, and institutional mechanisms suggest a positive trajectory for a relationship that is vital for regional and global stability. The next round of Special Representatives’ talks is expected to be held in China at a mutually convenient date.
