India-China Bilateral Relations and Dialogue Resumption
India and China have agreed on several measures to improve bilateral relations post-military stand-off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Key components of these agreements include the resumption of direct flights, issuance of visas, exchanges, and the Mansarovar Yatra. The meeting between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in Beijing marked these agreements.
Key Agreements and Measures
- Resumption of technical dialogue to plan for direct flights and the Mansarovar Pilgrimage in summer 2025.
- Revival of discussions on trans-border rivers and hydrological data sharing.
- Enhancement of people-to-people exchanges, including media and think tank interactions.
Economic and Trade Discussions
The discussions also covered economic and trade areas, addressing mutual concerns about trade restrictions and the need for transparency. This includes resolving issues such as:
- India's requirement for Home Ministry clearance on investments from China and other land-border countries.
- China's withholding of critical equipment and restrictions on pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and high technology exports.
Political Engagements and Historical Context
The engagement between the countries also focused on the historical context of suspended dialogues due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent LAC tensions. This includes:
- Discussions on the revival of the FS-Vice FM level bilateral dialogue mechanism.
- The potential for further high-level summits between Indian Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi, similar to previous informal summits.
Statements from Chinese Officials
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of moving toward mutual understanding and avoiding suspicion. He highlighted the "fundamental interest" of improving China-India ties for both countries and the broader Global South.
Upcoming Events
India has offered support for China's upcoming chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2025, with Prime Minister Modi expected to attend the Head of State Summit in June.
