Respecting Core Interests Essential for Stable India-China Ties, Says Chinese FM Wang Yi

By Mahima Katal

New Delhi/Beijing, June 23: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has stressed the importance of India and China respecting each other's "core interests" and implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries to ensure the steady development of bilateral relations.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Monday on the sidelines of the BRICS National Security Advisers' meeting, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency.

The discussions focused on bilateral relations and ongoing efforts to normalise ties between the two Asian neighbours following years of tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

According to an official Chinese readout, Wang described India as an important neighbour and said relations between the two countries had returned to a path of recovery and improvement.

The Chinese foreign minister noted that the leadership of both countries had agreed that China and India should be partners rather than rivals, calling it a key strategic understanding that provides direction for the future of bilateral relations.

"As the two largest developing countries and the world's most populous nations, China and India should view their relationship from both a long-term and global perspective," Wang said.

He emphasised that both sides should translate the understanding reached by their leaders into practical measures that support national development and contribute to the advancement of the Global South.

"It is imperative to respect each other's core interests, properly handle sensitive issues, and place the border question in an appropriate position so that it does not affect the overall development of bilateral relations," Wang was quoted as saying.

Wang also called for the restoration of dialogue mechanisms and greater engagement in areas including trade, finance, law enforcement, media, and people-to-people exchanges. He further stressed the need to build positive public opinion and strengthen social support for improved bilateral ties.

Doval and Wang also serve as the Special Representatives tasked with addressing the India-China boundary dispute.

Responding to the meeting, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the discussions as "constructive and forward-looking."

He said NSA Doval underlined that stable, predictable, and constructive bilateral relations are essential for building trust and mutual understanding between the two countries.

India and China have taken several steps over the past year to restore ties after relations deteriorated sharply following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020 and the prolonged military standoff that followed.

In August last year, Doval and Wang held a Special Representatives dialogue in New Delhi, which resulted in a number of measures aimed at maintaining peace and stability along the border.

The latest meeting is being viewed as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts by both countries to rebuild confidence and expand cooperation while managing longstanding differences.