India and China Strengthen Ties: Discussions on Border, Trade, and Travel Point to Improved Relations Post-Galwan

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India, which included a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is perceived as a significant step toward improving relations between the two nations. Before the meeting with the Prime Minister, Wang met with NSA Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The visit, lasting two days, signifies an attempt by both countries to mend ties damaged after the 2020 Galwan Valley incident. The Ministry of External Affairs of India suggests that the relationship with China is improving after the Galwan clash. Wang’s visit resulted in agreements on various issues, including maintaining peace and stability at the border and resolving the border dispute as quickly as possible. The agreement also included the resumption of border trade, the re-establishment of direct air services, and an increase in the number of Indian pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Among the key agreements are: working towards the resolution of the India-China border dispute; forming an expert group for a swift resolution of the border demarcation; discussing a reduction in military presence; restoring direct flight services promptly; finalizing the air service agreement; providing visas for tourists and professionals; expanding the scope of Indian pilgrimages; sharing China’s river-related information; re-establishing border trade at three trading points; promoting India-China multilateralism; discussing cooperation on trans-border rivers; and agreeing to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties. In the last 9-10 months, India-China relations have noticeably improved. After his meeting with Wang, NSA Doval emphasized the peaceful state of the borders, the harmony, and the more robust bilateral ties. Doval also highlighted the meeting between PM Modi and Xi Jinping in Kazan as a turning point in improving the relationship. This meeting occurred a short time after the agreement for troop disengagement in eastern Ladakh. The Chinese Foreign Minister also held discussions with S. Jaishankar, his Indian counterpart. The discussions included various bilateral, regional, and international issues of common interest. The Indian side raised the issue of cross-border terrorism, which Wang also acknowledged. Both sides agreed to continue maintaining peace and harmony on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).